NS7P's picture

Sea-Pac Convention SOTA Gathering

Sea Pac, the ARRL NW region hamfest is May 31 to June 2, 2013.  We are having a Friday night SOTA gathering, much like last year.  This year we have reserved the banquet room at the the same pizza place we met last year, so we should have lots of room for the expanding group of SOTA folks!

nx1p's picture

Adventure Sota

Summit: 
w7o/sc-115

Most of the Oregon south coast summits are accessible only by dirt roads.  access to summit bases are on un maintained dirt roads.  Since the South Coast gets, on average, 6 feet of rain a year, well, you can imagine what a steep unmaintained dirt road looks like. 

K7ATN's picture

Squaw Butte, ID | April 2013

Summit: 
W7I/SR-126

Note that there is another Idaho "Squaw Butte-W7I/SR-089" and that this "Squaw Butte" is also the name given to the long ridge just to the east of this two-pointer. However, the ridge and it's associated peak, "Squaw Butte South" doesn't have the required prominence for SOTA. But hey, the real peak is only a few miles away. 

Directions to the "trailhead" seemed a little tricky for an out of towner - I've started them below from ID-44 - W State Street where you make the turn north on ID-16. See this for more information and other routes: www.summitpost.org/squaw-butte/275284

K7ATN's picture

Shafer Butte, ID | May-2013

Summit: 
W7I/BC-064

Shafer Butte is an excellent activation not far from Metro Boise - about an hour up Bogus Basin Road will get you there - and another 1.25 miles or so and 700 feet of hiking will gain you the summit proper. Or consider that there is a ski lift a few feet away from the summit - buy a lift ticket and climb a little and earn the bonus points for a "ski" activation during the winter.

K7ATN's picture

Greenleaf Peak, WA | May-2013

Summit: 
W7W/LC-104

You'll be in good company when you climb Greenleaf Peak - Botanist David Douglas was there in September of 1825 without a road or trail. You might think that a hike starting under power lines would not be particularly remote or wild - but once you leave the service road you'll be thinking differently. It's a summit that rarely sees visitors - you might do yourself (and those that might follow) a service by wielding a machete on some of the more overgrown parts of the trail.

K7ATN's picture

Yacolt Mountain, WA | Not recommended

Summit: 
W7W/LC-148

Due to public access confusion, access to the private property of Yacolt Mountain is not recommended. There is a quarry on the property and the large gate on the well-used haul road is a sign that being there on weekdays is not a good idea and on weekends this gate is locked.

There are a number of public access summits in SW Washington that can easily be activated - nearby Bells Mountain, Davis Peak, Green Mountain North and TumTum Mountain to name a few.

K7ATN's picture

Cooper Mountain, OR | April 2013

Summit: 
W7O/WV-099

Cooper Mountain might be another typical urban activation as at first glance nearby Cooper Mountain Nature Park could be a place to activate if you can be low-key and quiet. There are alternative spots - one across the street from the summit on a sidewalk and perhaps the best at nearby Winkelman Park (see the trip report).

K7ATN's picture

Sam High Point (Peak 4375), ID | Apr-2013

Summit: 
W7I/SR-167

Here's a fairly easy SOTA summit not too far from Boise. It has good views from the top and some simple navigation challenges as it's cross country with no trail. This could be a good summit to try out using a GPS - it might help you end up in the right place. 

K7ATN's picture

Spencer Butte, OR | Apr-2013

Summit: 
W7O/CC-043

Spencer Butte is a Eugene city park about four miles south of downtown. The address for the most convenient trailhead is 85401 South Willamette Street and the trailhead parking lot is well signed as the Spencer Butte Trailhead. This trailhead has the shortest routes to the summit.

W7TAO's picture

Goat Peak - Mazama, WA

Summit: 
W7W/OK-107

This is a steep but easily accessed 8 point peak near the town of Mazama, WA.  If you're in the Twisp, Winthrop or Mazama area, it's a must do.  It contains a fire lookout tower and great views of the Methow valley and North Cascade peaks.  It's only 2.5 miles long, has a fire lookout tower at the top but some sections are very steep.  Call ahead to the ranger's office and see if Lighting Bill will be in the fire lookout.  If so, be sure to bring him a cold beer!