Summit is forested and/or has ample tree cover.
Flattop Mountain is a drive-up for those with capable high clearance vehicles. And maybe for those ready to buy new tires - which was required of us - as the road was steep with sharp rocks.
Henry Peak is a two point summit overlooking Plains, Montana. It is due north of the intersection of highways 200 and 135. Please refer to the linked map below as I describe getting there. All forest Service roads in this description are good to fair and a four wheel drive is not necessarily needed but advised due to some bumpy and rocky spots.
Williamson Peak is a nice day hike in the Cascade Lakes region west of Bend - located in the Three Sisters Wilderness area near Lava Lake. The best way to reach the mountain is from the Lucky Lake Trailhead, just off Cascade Lakes NS Byway/Lava Lake Road. From there the hike up to the summit is a little under 4 miles via the Senoj/Six Lakes Trail. The trail grade varies from near flat to moderate with a total elevation gain of around 1600'.
I was not fortunate to get any contacts nor activate this peak today. This was mostly due to my current limitations in radio gear. I used a Yeasu FT-2D at 5 watts with a 42 inch tape measure type of antenna. Although well within the exposed activation zone, the forested summit prevented me from reaching out to the northeast where I easily picked up two contacts earlier from Mount Baldy a few hours prior. I was calling on 146.52 MHz FM voice. I had a great line of sight to five other summits in the Plains, Montana area.
This was a failed attempt of activating this summit.
Driving the route to the "trailhead" involves a 21 mile stretch of Forest Service roads that takes you within a thousand feet of the summit. Take Forest Service road 412 that starts at Montana highway 135, just south of Quinns Hot Springs. 412 intersects with Forest Service road 97 that takes you to the summit. See link below for the map of this route. These are well maintained roads but Four Wheel Drive is highly recommended. Some rocky spots and deep potholes from the rain. Allow 90 minutes to drive this.
This was meant to be the last of our 3 night expedition (although I did manage to sneak one more in :) ). This summit was not in my notes but on our way out after packing up camp, we decided to at least take a peak. It was a nice morning hike. Lots of wildflowers. Plenty of area to set up. There is also a large domed rock to view to the east on I guess would be it's false summit. There was also a lot of hooting from the blue grouse.
This summit I went ahead to give a try after deciding Fishhole Mountain nearby was not an option for the day. This little summit ended up being a very nice, peaceful stroll. Robin wanted to rest so I took the hike up solo after we had enough pinstriping of the truck and it ended up being about 2.25 mile RT hike. The top is a forested park like area. There are also grown over old skid rows that make for an easy hike, not really any log hopping. Plenty of area to set up and enjoy the magnificent view looking down at the brilliant blue Butcher Flat Reservoir.
My second SOTA required a longer hike (~2 miles each way) than Mt. Electric but was also a lot of fun.
This was number 2 for the day. A short hike but only if you are interested in driving through some brush. Walking the road wouldn't be bad though. Plenty of area to set up. This was a short and sad activation as we were informed of Robin's cousin passing while on top.
Take access road off of main road 28. 28 is main FS road that is paved.
This was where we chose to camp for our multiple summit trip, just at the northern base of the mountain, in a nice forested flat, just a jog up RD 105, the road is blocked a little further up. Where we camped is also about where you want to hike up the summit. Nice hike but we got really tangled up going down the mountain too far down the NW ridge rather than the face of the ridge and were caught in solid buck brush. Check satellite images to avoid, if you avoid this its about a 1.75 mi RT hike in a mixed forest with lots of Sugar Pine in a blanket of Indian Paintbrush.
