On a quck training hike for our Switzerland Hiking / Climbing tour next July / August, I decided to throw in my 2M HT at the last minute.  Wilderness Peak is an easy 4 miles RT hike gaining 1200 feet, to a summit elevation of 1,600.  It is easily accessible from my home QTH in Bellevue, WA.  Park on SR900 (Issaquah - Renton Road).  The hike is through mostly wooded terrain, with some sections of lovely old growth Douglas Fir and Cedar trees.  One (1) hour up and 48 minutes down.  A few other hikers and trail runners en route.

Here's a quick report on my activation yesterday of W7I/NI-106, ie, 6114. The mountain is on the Idaho-Montana border, just off Interstate-90, and across the valley from the Lookout Pass Ski area. This area seems to get snow when other places don't.  So although the ski season has been rather boring here, this hike provided a nice opportunity to get into the woods and do an activation again. 

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.

Enjoy bushwacking? Like to climb over (and under!) a maze of large, downed trees? We've got a great SOTA summit for you in the Clackamas River area. Well, actually, there are probably dozens like this, but here's one with directions.

28 October, 2013    Bandera Mtn    W7W/KG-073

Our original hiking destination for this day was going to be 7000 ft Norse Peak, an 8 pointer, near Crystal Mtn Ski Resort, a bit north and east of Mt Rainier National Park.  The Mt Rainier WX report predicted 30-40 MPH winds at Paradise and Camp Muir in the National Park.  We took off for our backup hiking destination:  Bandera Mtn.

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.

Goat Peak - W7W/MC-026 – 13 October, 2013

Goat Peak is located east of the Cascade Crest.  Myself, partner Ms Pat WT7N, and Bro Mike drove 19 miles east of Chinook Pass on Hiway 410 to one of the three Goat Peak THs.  Our TH is located directly across the highway from the Hells Crossing Camp Ground.  Garmin said that the distance to the summit was 3.2 miles with an elevation gain of 3000 ft.  BTW, we did not take the http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/goat-peak-1  recommended route.

Activation of Tahquitz peak, Riverside County, California - 8,828 Feet, 2,692 Meters.

On vacation with my wife in Southern California, it was possible to combine hiking with Amateur Radio / SOTA.  Based in Palm Springs, California, we ranged throughout the San Jacinto Mountains and Joshua Tree National Park for several days of excursions.

Activation of San Jacinto Peak, High Point of Riverside County, California - 10,843 Feet, 3,305 Meters. 

On vacation with my wife in Southern California, it was possible to combine hiking with Amateur Radio / SOTA.  Based in Palm Springs, California, we ranged throughout the San Jacinto Mountains and Joshua Tree National Park for several days of excursions.