Good Parking At Trailhead

Hike RT 0 – 2 miles

Elevation Gain 0 - 129 feet

Summary - Sawtooth Mountain, on the north end of Indian Heaven Wilderness, is a 2.5 mile hike with 1000 feet of gain from the parking lot to the edge of the activation zone. This trip report describes getting to the summit, another hundred feet or so up, with unprotected class three and four traverses/climbing and significant exposure.

Mount Emily is a six point summit north of La Grande Oregon. It is a complete drive up, but requires AWD and moderate ground clearance to get there. The road out of La Grande quickly turns to gravel and gets steep (17% according to the warning sign). It stays good gravel for just short of 10 miles and then gets a bit rough. The directions given by Google Maps are accurate except for one place where it wants you to cut the switchback (see below). The activation zone is very large so it is easy to get away from all the towers and buildings at the summit. I did that and had no RFI issues.

Bring a climbing helmet for this summit! Even under the trees, you're in the kill zone for falling rocks! 

Summary - Bird Mountain, in the Indian Heaven Wilderness, combines good trails and a steep bushwhack (not for beginners).  While makes for a longish day, link it with Lemei Rock for a two summit, twelve point outing.  The trip from Portland to the Cultus Creek Campground (day fee or pass required) is about two hours on mosly paved roads.  ATT digital service is good, as is APRS.

Summary - Lemi Rock, in the Indian Heaven Wilderness, combines good trails, a steep bushwhack (not for beginners), and some optional ridge scrambling.  While makes for a longish day, link it with Bird Mountain for a two summit, twelve point outing.  The trip from Portland to the Cultus Creek Campground (day fee or pass required) is about two hours on mosly paved roads.  ATT digital service is good, as is APRS.

Backpacking into North Cascades National Park (US-0055)

Date: September 6-8, 2024

Overview:

To reach East Green Mountain from Christmas Valley, take Millican Road north from Christmas Valley HWY. Cut over to Crack in the Ground Rd or alternatively take Crack in the Ground Road from Christmas Valley HWY. Crack in the Ground road is not paved, but fine for passenger vehicles.

I recommend stopping at Crack in the Ground Road for some Geo-Tourism. It is a short ~1mi out and back hike. Crack in the Ground is as the name describes and is a very cool fissure in the basalt.

I did Pothole Butte after Maklaks. It was not on my list for this trip but you always should keep a back up plan if you have some extra time or one fails right?

I came from Sun Mountain Rd but this is easily accessed from 97 via FS RD 70. Take a left off RD70 at 42.95707, -121.87904. The SW side of the mountain is very steep and cliffs. We drove around the south side to 42.95635, -121.9501.

Summary - I first hiked Lookout Mountain via the usual route, High Praire Trail, Tim N7KOM as part of a two day outing that included SOTA summits 6001 and Badger Butte.