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Two W7N summits bagged on May 1 for this newbie activator

Submitted by K1LB on
Summit

Mt Scott - W7N/WC-028 - at the south end of the Virginia Range near Carson City required no walking/hiking at all; just drive up Goni Road from Carson City and park on top where all the dozen broadcast stations are located. The six mile mountain road climbs steeply on a washed out gravel road requiring a high clearance 4x4. I posted my own spots with 5-bar cell service on Verizon and RBN was working reliabably as well. The chasers turned out heavy. Had the company of a dozen wild mustangs grazing!

Crown Butte, MT | April-2016 (1.9 miles, 1,040 ft)

Submitted by AE7AP on
Summit

Crown Butte is one of several laccoliths that protrude from the prairie south west of Great Falls.  It is the smaller cousin of the nearby Square Butte, which figures so famously in Charlie Russell paintings.  The butte is primarily owned by the Nature Conservancy, as a preserve for native prairie grasses.  The summit grasses have been well protected from civilization by the ring of surrounding cliffs.  The Nature Conservancy allows public access, and no notification is required.  Pets, camping, fires, and mountain bikes are not allowed.  The access road and th

Sunny, warm day made a first time activation fun!

Submitted by KB7WSD on
Summit

After wanting to get started activating peaks under the SOTA program, a push from Brett, KG7FFW got both of us out to do our first activation at Three Lakes Hill on Tuesday the 26th of April.  A frustrating discovery that there were no good place to park that did not require a Discovery Pass, forced a quick trip into Monroe to purchase one. Upon returning, we discovered that someone had spread nails all about the parking area.

"6685", MT | April - 2016 (530 ft, 0.8 mi)

Submitted by AE7AP on
Summit

This is a pleasant, short hike that is accessible by most vehicles.  The summit is an open, broad knoll that offers nice views in all directions.   There is an exceptional profusion of Bitterroots (the Montana state flower) on the summit ridge, which should be spectacular for that brief period in late May when they bloom.  We accessed the summit from the Fool Hen drainage on the North, but it should also be accessible from Gould Gulch to the south.  There are lots of mine workings in the area, with the Jay Gould mine being one of the largest.  It had over 12,00

SOTA Activation - Hicks Butte, Kittitas County, Washington - April 16, 2016

Submitted by K7MAS on
Summit

This was a joint SOTA Activation along with my SOTA Buddy: Tim, KG7EJT.  Hicks Butte, which had only been Activated once before, is a somewhat obscure SOTA summit located about 6.5 KM SW of exit 78 off I-90, between the towns of Easton and Cle Elum in Central Washington.  Hicks Butte is a 6 point SOTA Summit, and is 5,518 feet or 1,682 meters high.  Fine weather, great companionship, good views and a successful SOTA Activation yielded a great outing!

Selah Butte, WA | April 2016

Submitted by K7ATN on
Summit

A nice drive-up summit - so long as you have a high clearance vehicle. Head north of Yakima on I-82. Use exit 26 and take Highway 821 2.6 miles to Selah Creek Drive. (Near 46.711, -120.466.)

Wind up the 3.6 miles of nice gravel that eventually turns into a pretty rough road to the summit at 3025 feet. The road is not suitable for a passenger car. Be sure and close the gate that you'll pass through.