Blue Ridge has moved a bit since it was NC-037. The vehicle access is the same as it was as written up here: http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7atn/2018-february-04/blue-ridge-or-february-2018

I'm running the Badger Mountain Challenge trail race this Saturday 25 Mar, which crosses through the AZ of Badger Mountain W7W/WE-061 as part of the course. I'd like to attempt a quick SOTA activation when I cross through the AZ on 146.58-FM. If you live in the area or know other Hams who are local, please monitor that freq and I'll log as many chasers as I can. I should be at the summit sometime between 1030 and Noon. Thanks in advance.

http://www.badgermountainchallenge.com/

Matt - W7MDN

The Larch Mtn access road will be closed for paving "most of 2023".  See https://www.multco.us/roads/webform/larch-mountain-road-paving-and-repair for the details.

Horse Creek Butte doesn’t appear as classically defined buttes nor typical of buttes that characterize many Idaho and Montana landscapes.  It has a highly fractured ridge of boulders capping the summit, but with little geological relief from the surrounding subalpine fir, and lodgepole and whitebark pine forest.

I did the first activation of Sheridan Mountain in July of 2015. I wrote up a quick trip report for the NASOTA group and planned to write a more detailed trip report later, but I lost my notes for the activation. Sheridan has not been activated again. I am writing this trip report now with the hope that someone will find it useful. Sheridan is not an easy summit to get to or climb, but it's not that hard either.

Let's sart with my original trip report and then I will add some commentary from memory.

The Oregon SOTA database has been updated. W7O SOTA summits have been revised, including deletions, additions and changes. One example that many will be familiar with is Frog Lake Buttes - did you ever wonder why it was plural?

Cline Buttes is a moderate hike/ride, depending on your approach. The traditional mtb route is to start off the quarry road on the east side and climb the Cline Butte XC Trail around the west side interconnecting with FAA access road to the summit. There is a short cut near the summit that keeps you on the west side of the butte and drops you out right at several big rocks that are in the AZ and can provide some wind protection. 2M can work well but having had one failed activation for lack of 2M contacts, I highly suggest bringing and HF rig as well.

Baldy Peak was a wonderful and pleasant surprise. I recommend it. The minimum hike is 1.2 miles round trip with about 650’ vertical.  The hike can be extended by parking a bit further down B-1000 and hiking up the Buck Creek trail. 

 The route I took to 2700 – Circuit Peak was 3.6 miles round trip with 1100’ vertical.  It was a combination of forest road walking and moderate bushwhacking. I think it may take a few activators summiting to get the best route to the top identified. There are smaller ridgelines and drainages not shown on the topo maps, and it may be possible to follow the old roadbed nearly all the way to the summit.

Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control, I will not be able to host this event as I will not be out of town during the scheduled party. I'll try it again next summer when I am able to make it. If anybody would ike to take this over, please feel free. If not, then the event will be canceled for this year. Sorry as I know that several of you were interested in it...