Diamond Craters is administered by the Bureau of Land Management as an Outstanding Natural Area. This is a great example of Oregon High Desert and although it’s not on the way to anything, it is very much worth visiting. It is about 55 miles southeast of Burns, Oregon. From Burns, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 46 miles to the Diamond Junction.
UPDATE Nov 2022 - http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/ag7gp/2021-january-27/roxy-ann-peak-or-january-2021.
Roxy Ann Peak is a short 1.5 mile 700 foot gain hike just east of Medford surrounded by Prescott Park.
Just past Oregon wine country resides Sheridan Peak W7O/NC-009. This peak has an elevation of 3000ft and resides in the heavily timbered coastal range. For beginners to SOTA, this is perfect place to start and gain experience. This peak resides in the Nestucca Recreation Area, specially created to manage the impact of an extensive and wonderful network of OHV trails. There are specific restrictions within this area, so please check with the BLM before you camp or light fires. The easiest route is from the city of Carlton then follow the NW Meadow Lake Rd.
Bobs Mountain is fairly close to Portland, and with a short respite from the rain, an activation plan was hatched. I had the company of Grover, KG7O for a joint activation. We had a good time on the short hike to the summit on a four-wheel drive road and had a sucessful first time activation for this peak.
Directions:
I could not go out for a long time. I had a lot of problems and was afraid of avalanche danger. Previous weekend I went out for an expedition hike towards Ararat peak. Avalanche danger was low, with declining tendency. Despite this I still did not want to go on any steep open terrain. Many would not think that even a small amount of snow can kill you.
After activating W7W/SK-113 the evening before (see trip report for Second Hop Summit), we rose from our camp in the gravel pit. We made hearty breakfast and broke camp but before leaving we found a few lonely tin cans in the gravel pit to practice our marksmanship.
There is no trail to this summit. Take Hwy 20 East from Burlington. 3 miles after the town of Concrete turn left on a logging road marked "Jackman Creek Road". Follow this road for approx 11 miles to (N48.57127 W121.63747). This can be accomplished by staying on the main road and not taking any spurs (most are gated) This waypoint is actually about 100 yards up a spur road. Continue past this waypoint up the spur road where it will terminate in a gravel pit in approx. 1/4 mile. During summer months a 4WD vehicle is not necessary.
Even more updated here: http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7atn/2021-june-07/updated-monte-carlo-wa-june-2021
There appears to be a false summit around 5160 feet near the "end" of the trail to Bandera that is about half mile and 80 feet of elevation gain to the actual summitr.
From Seattle: Go east on I-90 and take Exit 45 and turn under the freeway. Follow the road and turn left at a branch after about half a mile and continue on a traverse for another three miles or so to the trailhead parking lot. The road can be driven by any passenger car. The elevation gain is about 2,100 feet. A Forest Pass is required for parking.
This was my first SOTA summit activation. Due to the weather (rain and heavy fog) I chose a summit close to home. Davis Peak is a major radio repeater site about 13 miles east of Woodland at Exit 21 from I-5.