See my trip reports for 2 other summits in this area: Saddle Mtn. and Duplex Summit.
There are two ways to get up to Dow Mountain - a long drive on gravel roads, or a forest road walk of around 2.5 miles (1900' elevation gain). Since I was also visiting two other summits along the way, I opted for the road approaching from the north. The road going up to Dow Mtn. from Hoodsport is gated - this is the road to take if you wish to hike it.
SEE ACCESS UPDATE Aug 2024.
See my trip report for Saddle Mountain for a map of this area. This summit is a drive up, on pretty good gravel roads. Most any car should make it with some careful driving. High clearence is helpful but not required. After you leave the pavement its about a 25 min drive.
The views of Hood Canal from the summit are great! Parking not a problem - there is room for several cars.
This is a short one mile hike 400 feet of gain that you reach by driving about five miles on a poor road. There's some bushwacking required to make the Activation Zone.
Peak 3410 is about 10 miles back into the Tillamook State Forest. Although once you get there it is really a near drive-up, the drive on those roads might feel like you've been hiking five miles by the time you get there. You'll want a high clearance vehicle, a good map, and GPS to reach this summit off Highway 6.
Here is a lovely hike in the south reaches of the Clackamas watershed. The hike is about 6.5 miles round trip and 1000 feet of gain. Although about two hours from Portland, it's also a nice drive to the trailhead with good signage along the way. Only the last half mile or so would be challenging in a passenger car.
An easy one pointer in the Coast Range with a very short hike - using a GPS may help you find it in the maze of roads that is the Tillamook State Forest.
Rogers Peak is the highest point in Tillamook County and the highest also in W7O/NC. It's fairly easy to access, given a good road that is fine for passenger cars, a road walk after a gate, and a final ascent using an overgrown cat track that leads you almost directly to the summit.
I was skunked today on my activation attempt for Round Top, due to fire risk closure. Here's a quick note to myself and other future activators concerning this.
Although Stimson maintains fairly open (hiking) public access rules for their property, they do close access entirely during Industrial Fire Protection Level (IFPL) II or higher. If you are activating in a Stimson propery area during the summer months, check the website ahead of time.
Stimpson western (Oregon) public access rules:
John, Ralph and myself (Eric) made the trek to the summit of St Marks. The hike is very popular with 200+ on the trail on a nice week-end. The first half of the trail is well groomed and easy walking. The trail improvement stops about half way and from there on the trail is easy to follow but it is very root infested and so one needs to be constantly watching where one steps.