For those that hunt regularly this is not news, but for other SOTA Activators please be aware of hunting season in the areas you might activate, especially when hiking off trail. Check the hunting calendar for your state, wear clothing to be seen, and be thoughtful when crashing through the brush.
Rifle deer season opened this past weekend in Oregon and I was decked out in a blaze orange vest that met the approval of one hunter I talked with.
While in town for the Hells Canyon Relay race, Taylor and I planned to hit two 10-point summits in the Joseph, OR area, our highest elevation and point value yet. What started off as a well-planned day trip unraveled into a messy situation. This is a long report, but worth the read!
On July 15, 2012, Rich KR7W, Pat WT7N, and Chuck AC7QN went out on a conditioning day hike for an upcoming long backpack. This hike started at the Cold Creek TH, about 3 miles south on FR-9070, which begins at the Hyak Exit #54, on I-90, just E of Snoqualmie Pass. The planned destination was the summit of Mt Catherine, 5052 ft, W7W/CW-066.
See: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-catherine
The summits in the eight W7 regions are being renamed, much like those in W4 or W5 were earlier this year.
The name changes follow this plan:
W7 - USA - Arizona -> W7A - USA - Arizona
W7 - USA - Idaho -> W7I - USA - Idaho
W7 - USA - Montana -> W7M - USA - Montana
W7 - USA - Nevada -> W7N - USA - Nevada
W7 - USA - Oregon -> W7O - USA - Oregon
W7 - USA - Utah -> W7U - USA - Utah
W7 - USA - Washington -> W7W - USA - Washington
W7 - USA - Wyoming -> W7Y - USA - Wyoming
On August 29, 2012, Guy, N7UN, Jeremy, NH6Z and Phil, NS7P, activated Eagles Rest in the Willamette Valley foothills of Lane Co, OR. This small summit sits at 3024' ASL (1725' above the trailhead). It is exposed rock surrounded by forest.
The trail is called the "Starway Trail" but it could be better named the "Stairway Trail" as it is one of the steepest trails I have ever hiked - but the views from the top are worth it. And then, the peak should also have the SOTA vanity name, "Starway." The elevation gain is in the order of 2400 feet in just over two miles and pretty much relentlessly climbs for the first half of the hike. Note that this peak can also be approached from Silver Star (from the south) with less elevation gain, although the trail is a bit faint in places.