First Activation of Ball Butte W7O/CM-007
Couldn't resist the quick walk-up summit of Ball Butte on our return to the trailhead from a day hike to the base of Broken Top Mountain in the Sisters Wilderness. Although there's no human created trail to the summit, other than animal tracks, the route from the Broken Top Mountain trailhead is obvious - ascend the gentle, partially treed Southeast face to a saddle approximately 200 vertical feet below the summit ridge, then hike climbers left to the summit ridge. Non-technical, except for some minor exposure along the ridge.
SOTA Activation: Waterman Mountain, Los Angeles County, California - September 29, 2016
One of the nicest hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains, Waterman Mountain is certainly worthy of repeat SOTA Activations, and this was our third time in about 2 years. Being graced with a very reasonable access, well graded trail and magnificent specimens of Incense Cedar (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calocedrus ) and Ponderosa Pine (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_ponderosa
First SOTA Activation: Pyramid Mountain - Chelan County, Washington - July 23-25, 2016 - Part 4 of 4
Chelan Crest SOTA Outing July 23-25, 2016 – Part 4. See separate reports on PNWSOTA website with background on the entire outing and day 1 & 2 description, with 3 other First SOTA Activations. The total trip was approximately 25 miles RT, with approximately 7,000 feet elevation gain, including ups and downs in between the various peaks.
Kepros Mountain, ID | Sept 2016
This was my second activation of Kepros. This is a long hike where you just need to keep going... When it seems like you should be at the summit, it is still way off in the distance. When you finally get to the base of the actual mountain, you have gone 4 miles, gained a bunch of elevation, but had just descended to almost the elevation of the car! The final push to the summit is steep, but you are on a double track. A set of hiking poles may expedite the steeper sections.
Treasure Mountain, MT | Sept, 2016
Treasure Mountain is a non-descript forested summit that is located south of Elliston, MT. Head south on the Little Blackfoot road (which leaves the highway east of Elliston) and trend left up Telegraph Creek 3.0 miles later when the road forks. Follow the Telegraph Creek Road SSE for 4.9 miles, and take the major turn to the right (westerly). Continue across Telegraph Creek, and follow the road 0.6 miles to where it intersects the Treasure Mountain Road. The Treasure Mtn. Road may be driven at least another 1.8 miles, except Oct.
Cady Mountain, WA | 2014
The summit proper of Cady Mountain is privately owned and not accessible.
It may be possible to activate from the narrow dirt road in lower portion of the Activation Zone, but it would be challenging.
Old Blue Mountain, OR | No Access
Note that this is NOT W7O/CC-021 - Old Blue or W7O/SC-066 - Old Blue Mountain.
When approaching from BLM Road 10 off of Highway 35, Old Blue Mountain, near Marys Peak, is gated and posted as private property. It appears that the peak itself may be on public lands, but the access from the south passes through Weyerhauser timberland.
There may be other access on other roads that approach from another side of the peak.
First SOTA Activation: Sky Mountain, King County / Chelan County (on the dividing line), Washington - September 16, 2016
Sky Mountain is a high point on the ridge directly across US Highway 2 from Stevens Pass Ski Resort. The summit is at Point 5,482 feet, and is not actually named on the USGS topo maps. Sky Mountain hike/scramble is only about 5 miles RT, and 1,700 feet elevation gain. Despite the relatively short distance and modest elevation gain, this scramble is not trivial. Tim, KG7EJT, tried it in winter, but turned back due to weather and avalanche hazard. So now we returned for a joint Activation in the last we
Blue Ridge, OR (near Coos Bay) | September 2016
An easy trip for visitors to the Coos Bay area. Directions:
Mi
0.0 From US-101, take Coos - Sumner Lane East
5.0 Continue through Sumner as name changes to Fairview-Sumner Lane
7.3 Continue left at Tee on Fairview-Sumner Lane
7.7 Left at fork onto paved USFS road 26-12-4.2
8.7 Stay on paved road
9.1 Stay on paved road
10.1 Right at fork onto gravel road
10.2 Right at fork onto USFS 26-12-35.1