The pnwSOTA website was created to facilitate communication between SOTA operators in the Pacific Northwest region, as well as show off some of the activities of the top-notch folks we have in the area. On this site you will find information about getting started in SOTA as well as details about summits and activations contributed by people that are operating here.
Bobs Mountain, WA | Nov 2024
Just an update: the road to the trailhead has been re-gravelled since we activated in 2023. Discovery Pass still required.
And it is possible to get closer to the summit by parking next to the electrical tower at (45.658181, -122.183540).
Peak 1465, OR | Nov. 2024
1465 is a 1-point peak in the Oregon Central Coast region. The top of the summit is close to the road but due to geography and deep thorny overgrowth, remains nearly inaccessible. However, a spur road does pass through the edge of the activation zone (as confirmed by GPS altitude).
Scott Mountain, OR | Nov. 2024
Scott Mountain is a 1-point summit in the Oregon Central Coast (CC) region with a straightforward, easy grade hike of 2.2 miles each direction. The AZ contains ample space to set up on a dis-used roadbed with decent cell coverage for spotting.
From Oregon Hwy. 34, proceed west of Alsea. You will enter the Siuslaw National Forest. Driving directions are as follows:
Edwards Butte, OR November 2024
The description by NR7Y is still accurate in 2024 for the approach from the south. I had some difficulty finding the correct road to the gate. Here is a gps track to the gate:
http://www.pnwsota.org/content/w7onc-007-drive-route
Message Peak, WA - November 2024
This is a drive-up summit in the Capitol State Forest, west of Olympia. Map to Coordinates: 47.0261, -123.1691. The road is a dirt forest service road with some potholes, but any car should be able to make it. You can drive right up to the activation zone. We walked about 25 feet from where we parked to get a little higher. There are stumps and tall grass with some small trees.
Peak 1820, OR | Nov. 2024
1820 is a relatively easily accessible forested summit in the Oregon Central Coast (CC) region near Lincoln City, OR. It sits entirely on Siuslaw National Forest land. 1820 was a First Activation for the crew, which consisted of Amy KC7JNU, Katherine KK7IUD, KC K1ZMA, Jason K7BXX and myself.
W7W/LC-096
Getting there: The route is quite straighforward. As of October 2024, it is possible to drive the 1/2 mile up the brushed-in logging road from the 5800 road to where the old road grade peels off. There is parking for two vehicles at the start of the bushwhack.
4029, OR | Oct 2024
I had set a SOTA goal a few months ago to activate all of the summits surrounding Lake Owyhee in SE Oregon and set out to tackle my first one yesterday. 4029 is right next to 3660 (W7O/SE-188) and are both accessible by a vehicle turn-around at the end of a jeep road. To reach this vehicle turn-around you have to spend about my 70-80 mintues driving over a few jeep roads from Leslie Gulch Rd. The 4WD driving is straight forward.
Cle Elum Ridge, WA - October 2024
This summit can be reached via the Crooked Tree Trail, which has a listing in AllTrails here: