Easy Trail

North Grand Ridge is an easy summit to activate with a short (3.4 mile RT, ~600' elevation gain).  The summit might be considered part of the "Issaquah Alps" series of summits that include Tiger Mountain, West Tiger Mountain, South Tiger Mountain, Taylor Mountain, and Rattle Snake Mountain.  This report provides details on how to legally access the activation zone (AZ) and summit.

Walker Mountain is a Southern Oregon summit that could be a drive-up for those with a fully capable 4x4. However, the roughest part is also the start of a decent hike and getting to that rough spot is easy with a vehicle with decent clearance. Note that there is another Walker Mountain in Oregon - this is the one near Grants Pass.

Fielder Mountain is an easy 'road' summit in Southern Oregon. With several large RF sites at the top, the road is passable in a passenger car all the way to the summit - however a gate may put you on foot for the last portion. 

Update February 2021 - Lost Dog Road is now gated with no motorized vehicles allowed. It's only a one mile road walk to the AZ.

This is a very much out of the way summit, along Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast, about 14 miles north of Bandon. Note that there are other Peak 740 in Oregon - make sure this one is your intended peak.

NOTE in January 2021 there was a NO TRESPASSING sign posted on the Stimson Gate Placard. See photo below.

There are FOUR Wildcat Mountains in Oregon, so be sure you want the North Coast version south of Highway 26. The road to the trailhead is short and easy in any passenger vehicle, there's a good spot to park, and summit is in the Tillamook Forest, although the shortest access crosses private timberland. The hike is about 1.5 miles one way, and 400 vertical feet gain. This description I consider the 'no bushwack' version.

Cornell Mountain, Portland Oregon. W7O/WV-090

Easy parking on Penridge Rd. Definitely a pavement activation. Quiet neighborhood with plenty of folks walking their doggos. I really wanted to throw a wire up and work CW but didnt see a spot that wasn't private property.

 So out came the Yaesu FT-60.

 146.520 worked well for me and I made 4 contacts relatively quick and easy which was nice because I really didn't want to disturb or raise any suspicions with the fine folks from the neighborhood that were out and about with their dogs. 

Whatatis Peak is directly North of the Hanford Reach National Monument. From Richland WA to the summit is just over 61 miles. You can drive very close to the summit, only the last little 1/4 mile kick up to the top peak is really treacherous. There is good parking at serveral locations off the access road to pull over to complete the summit on foot. I did a 2.5 mile hike to the top.

I activated my first SOTA summit here. Nice views and plenty of tall trees for your wire antenna. Parking is great. Plenty of room along with several picnic tables. Restroom facilities were available and clean. 

 Highly recommend for your first SOTA Summit.

https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=77

Nov 2, 2019 was the perfect day for climbing Mt. Carrie. The weather was cool and clear. Some snow up above Heart lake, but the Cat Walk (the unmaintained trail and scramble east of Heart Lake) was free of snow. That area would be very challenging with snow, and an ice axe and crampons would be a must. 

I like big buttes, and I can not lie...  

I don't have much to add that K7NIT didn't already cover in her excellent report.