Exposed Summit

UPDATE: There may be No Trespassing signs on this approach now.

Re Horse Ridge Initial Activation 23 Feb 2014.

Ray KG7AV, Max KF7MAX

Easiest approach is Hwy 20 east from Bend. Proceed approx 30m to Horse Ridge grade.

1. Just after the summit, as you descend into Millican basin, you will
encounter a turnoff to the S before you reach the ODOT cinder pile.
This is labeled as Ft Rock Rd on Google Earth, I know it as BLM 2015,
and I show it at 43 54 23.87N 120 59 50.67W.

Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain is a nice late season snowshoe near Mount Hood. It's about 4 miles one-way and 1850 feet of gain to bag this four-point summit with iconic views of Mount Hood. It's a bit of work with some route-finding on snowshoes, but hopefully this trip report will help you get there. A Forest Pass is required from May 15 to October 1 - a SnoPark is required November 1 to April 30. 
 

Gales Peak is probably on the "not recommended" list for activations near Portland. Although access is possible, you are not allowed to do it with a motor vehicle, making the six mile round-trip on a logging road fairly unattractive.

Peak 3534 is a near drive up in the Tillamook State Forest west of Portland off Highway 6. It would be a good combination activation with South Saddle Mountain, W7O/NC-002.

If you are tackling Peak 3534 on its own or to start first on South Saddle, use the directions here http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7nit/2013-august-13/south-saddle-mtn-or-ju… to find the "major triangle intersection" and consider using a GPS and a good map while in the Tillamook State Forest.

These eleven miles (RT) seem much farther when you are on snowshoes - take that into account if you should decide to try this winter activation. If you have 4WD, very high clearance and nerves of steel, you you might consider driving a bad road in the summer - see the other trip report below.

The trail starts from Highway 35 - the trailhead coordinates: 45.3395  -121.5703. See the trailhead photo below with an unsigned post just north of a bridge over the Hood River East Fork.

A near "drive-up" two-point summit in the Clackamas River drainage with good views. This area is likely busy in the summer but it was mostly quiet on this December day. Note that this area seems to be a popular place for target practice, although there are some areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited.

A pleasant activation nearly any time of year near Draper, Utah. In January there was snow enough for snowshoes or cross-country skiing to the summit - in summer hiking or a mountain bike could work for the 1.4 mile one-way.

The trailhead starts at Maple Hollow Trailhead Park and the 'trail' is a partially developed road - Deer Ridge Drive. The Park is at the intersection of Deer Ridge Drive and Elk Glen Drive, Draper, UT.

This yet unnamed peak deserves a good name as it's a very worthwhile activation. It's a bit out of the way but very quiet compared to nearby Lookout Mountain and the views on a clear day of Mount Hood are excellent. These are directions from the NORTH - this road is suitable for HIGH CLEARANCE vehicles that you don't much care about.

See also the trip report by N7UN and his approach from the SOUTH: http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/n7un/2012-september-05/n7un-activation-6001-near-mt-hood

Another highly recommended hike and activation - this one in the Clackamas River drainage. The trailhead is about 90 minutes from Portland and the round trip hike is 6.2 miles with 2000 feet of elevation gain - getting you great views from a lovely summit.

From Estacada take 224 east about 20.5 miles to NF-4620 that leads to Indian Henry Campground. This is just before a bridge that crosses the Clackamas River.

One of the most gorgeous hikes I've taken in Oregon, it's clearly popular during the 'summer' season but we had it all to ourselves this spectacular November Sunday. Note that there are four "Huckleberry Mountain" in the Oregon ARM - one of them is also in WV and is also 2 points - make sure you get yourself to the right one.

Although some hiking sites report this at 10.5 miles RT, we found it closer to 13 miles - and 3400 feet of gain. So it will take you some time - it's a full day to activate this one.