Activation Reports

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.

Prospect Hill is a privately-owned Christmas tree farm with about eight repeater and telecom sites on the ridge overlooking Independence, Oregon. We were able to secure one-time permission for access to this site as it was convenient to a visit with friends near Salem.

5194 is very close to the two Findley Buttes and it would be very easy to activate all three on the same day (but see K7ATN's entry for Findley Buttes West as access is a bit ambiguous).

If you find yourself near out of the way northeast Oregon, you might consider driving the scenic Tollgate Road between Weston and Elgin, and then activating Peak 5500 near the top of the pass. 

Peak 4940 deserves a better name - but for the time being it's an easy to reach SOTA summit - if you are already in Wallowa County in the very northeast corner of Oregon.

Krell Hill is a 3600 foot peak to the south-east of Spokane. It's also known as Tower Mountain for reasons that are obvious to those from the area. The tower complex looms over the City of Spokane, spanning most of the ridge to the south-east of town. It hosts 3 major TV stations and numerous other transmitters. Access to the hill is either from a gated road to the south-west, or from the trail system of the Iller Creek Conservation Area to the north or southeast. Iller Creek has many hiking and biking options.

There are three Findley Buttes - East, West and 5194. The first and the last have clear public access across Nature Conservancy easements and are recommended summits in this area.