Exposed Summit

Graham Peak had been activated twice before, but a report has not been posted. The peak overlooks The City of Rocks National Preserve with stunning views of the incredible rock formations.  If you visit the Preserve and don’t summit this peak you’ll really miss out!  Though the pictures don't show it, the views were still great even with the wildfire smoke. The access roads are Prius friendly, except for the last ¾ mile which is an easy hike to the summit.  There is a small radio tower (looks to be a VHF “J” pole).

Davis Mtn could be activated with Purcell, W7W/PL-057, via the same access Davis Creek Road.  Davis Creek Road goes north from SR12, a few miles east of Randle. Davis Creek Road becomes NF63 which is easily driveable by street vehicles, i.e. "priusable" for about 8 miles.  Turn right at 46.58361, -121.81340 onto a high-clearance, at least an AWD, heavily rutted road. Drive about 1.1 miles to a "wide spot" for maybe 3 cars of parking at the base of a west-facing huckleberry field.

The Lookout is a "first come, first served" and, therefore, not reservable at recreation.gov.  Consequently, a mid-week visit with an early arrival will generally net you an opportunity to spend the night.  Most folks spend one night, as a courtesy to others.  

Sherman Peak has an exposed summit / activation zone. I hiked to the summit from Trail 72 along the western slope. Be prepared to hike through large boulder fields; trekking poles helped greatly. Plan to use a mast if using a wire antenna. I ended up using a trekking pole and the tallest dead tree which put my EFHW at around 6' off the ground.

This was part of a two-summit dayhike to FR-002 and FR-005.

A steady, relentless 3000 ft climb over 3.6 mi to the summit.  The trail is mostly forested until you make the ridge, about 100 ft (elevation) of the summit, then you get spectacular views of Rainier, Adams, St Helens, and the Goat Rocks.  The summit is exposed with a few nearby trees.  It also is a repeater site for the USFS. When I was there, it was HOT and really no where to get out of the sun.

On a recent trip to Riffe Lake, I had the opportunity to activate this summit.

On the way over to Bend, I stopped to activate Black Butte.  I came on Hwy 20 and turned at NF-11 which is also the turn for Indian Ford Campground.  From there I followed north to the turn for NF-1110 (also known as Black Butte Rd) and on around the north of the mountain.  After a hairpin turn, there is one more sharp turn to the right which takes you to the upper trailhead.  The road up to the last turn was in good shape as of this writing.  The upper portion after the last turn was not as good but still very drivable.

This was my first summit on the day of the Central Oregon S2S party.

I had spent the night at the Pine Mountain Observatory Campgrounds which is FCFS so get there early.  If it's full, there are dispersed locations but it's hard to find one in the pitch black dark.  The observatory requires no headlights (only running lights) at the top so take that into account.

In the morning, I drove back down NF-2017 to the trailhead which also double as a cattle watering station.

This was my second summit for the day of the Central Oregon S2S party.

I had spent the night at the Pine Mountain Observatory Campgrounds which is FCFS so get there early.  If it's full, there are dispersed locations but it's hard to find one in the pitch black dark.  The observatory requires no headlights (only running lights) at the top so take that into account.