Easy Trail

Drive-Up in Summer, Ski or Snowshoe up in Winter

Directions (should be drivable by mid-late June):

Very Short Hike (0.1 Miles, +144 ft.)

Directions:

From Townsend – Drive east 2.4 miles on Hwy-12

Turn left and drive North 15.6 miles on Hwy 284

Turn right and drive 6.4 miles up Confederate Gulch (Good gravel Road)

Turn left and drive 3.3 miles up FS-4161 (Good USFS dirt road – may want some clearance)

4wd + Short Hike

Directions:

Exit east from Exit 85 on I-15

Drive 4.3 miles south on Hwy-91

Turn left on Burma Road – Continue 3.1 miles

Turn left on 2-track at Chokecherry Gulch (by gravel pit)

We had grand plans for the weekend and then saw them all melt away after a couple of received phone calls.  By Sunday afternoon, the sobering reality of a totally adventureless weekend was weighing heavily on us.  As my hope faded, Mrs. K7EEX asked if there were any summits near the southern end of the PDX metro area as she needed to run an errand down there.  “Why yes there is!” I proclaimed.  “Mount Sylvania - but we’ll have to move fast as the rain is coming in.”

Peak 4005 is a near drive-up summit a bit east of Mount Hood, accessed mostly on paved Forest Service roads. You should consider this summit in the Mount Hood 2m FM "dead zone" as we were not able to raise anyone on 146.52. Also, APRS and cell service were marginal or non-existent, so that spotting was very challenging.

Peak 4816 is a near drive-up summit a bit east of Mount Hood, accessed mostly on paved Forest Service roads. The summit area has an small but interesting rock pinnacle. You should consider this summit in the Mount Hood 2m FM "dead zone" as we were not able to raise anyone on 146.52 except a sked with a nearby S2S. Also, APRS and cell service were marginal or non-existent, so that spotting our activations on HF were a real problem.

Peavine Mountain is a drive-up summit a bit east of Mount Hood, accessed mostly on paved Forest Service roads. You should consider this summit in the Mount Hood 2m FM "dead zone" as we were not able to raise anyone on 146.52, even after begging on the Mt. Hood repeater. Also, APRS and cell service were marginal or non-existent, so that spotting was a problem. 

Here's a drive-up summit a few miles off Highway 26 when you are on your way to the coast. Not from from the well-trod Saddle Mountain, W7O/NC-004, it's one more point for the ambitious activator. The roads are easily traveled in a passenger car.

Pickett Butte is a two point summit east of Canyonville in southern Oregon. This 3296' peak has a lookout cabin on top of a 40' tower. The cabin is rented when not in fire lookout service. It was occupied on the June day we hiked up. The government guidelines specify that it is ok to hike from the locked gate to the summit when the cabin is rented. Just don't disturb the occupants. The hike from the gate to the summit was a little over 1/2 mile with 400' of elevation gain.

Huckleberry Mountain and its lookout is well known and for very good reasons. The catwalk around the elevated lookout offers wonderful, 360 degree views. All of the major snow capped peaks from Mt Hood to Thielsen and McLoughlin are visible. In addition, detailed views down into the nearby foothills are there for our enjoyment. The lookout makes a great place to do radio.