Peak 4980 is an easy activation just south of Mount Hood, Oregon (even if the road is horrid). It has great views (in the right weather) and some wilderness character about it. And there is an old trail that makes access fairly easy.
The Chasers for SOTA have consistently been the heroes of my activations, being there for me in a myriad of ways and ensuring my success.
Devil's Peak is an easy hike, even if it's not an easy drive. After starting your hike from the Turnaround Trailhead you'll be at the summit after only a mile and a half and 700 feet of gain (there are other ways to get there). At the top you'll be treated to a tour of one of the few remaining fire lookouts in the region and have a chance to enjoy great views of Cascade volcanoes, including Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson.
Here is my video trip report from August 11, 2012 of Sauk Mountain in Skagit County, WA. This is a relativaly easy hike (less than 2 miles, about 1,200 ft. of gain) and is right off of Highway 20 near Concrete, WA. If you're traveling over the Cascade Pass, it's a must do. Be aware that it's a very popular hike.
When I heard that the long-standing dry and sunny weather we'd been having for weeks was about to end on Friday, I cleared a day off work on Thursday and determined to take another stab at Mt McCausland. The drive to the trailhead is pretty straightforward.
The trail was difficult at this time of year with significant blowdown from an ice storm in February. I actually turned back twice but then decided to give it one more try. (Well, two more.) The attached photo shows the obliterated trail - the blowdown went on for almost a mile. I also hit continuous snow at 2200 feet (Augspurger tops out near 3700). I eventually lost the trail again in the snow kicking steps and then was postholing for about an hour. I ended up being an hour and a half late to my activation altogether.
THIS Mount Scott (Scott, Mount in the ARM) is a volcanic cinder cone (extinct) southeast of Portland, Oregon. The summit is 1095 feet ASL. This summit is in a suburban neighborhood with little public space within the activation zone.
A good address for activating the summit is 11500 SE Ridgeway Drive, Happy Valley, OR 97086. Note that access is from the south and east - there are restricted streets on the west side of Mount Scott. SE Idleman Road to SE Taylor Road is a suggested route.
Prune Hill is an extinct volcanic vent, 755 feet ASL, located in Camas, Washington, about 30 minutes from Portland, Oregon. This summit is in a suburban neighborhood with no public space near the summit itself.
Dorothy Fox Park to the northeast is within the activation zone. The closest address to the summit appears to be 2702 NW 18th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607.
Fred Beckey's book, 'Cascade Alpine Guide' tells readers that Pinnacle Peak is not the highest in the Tatoosh peaks, but Pinnacle's central position and attractive form have made it the most popular ascent in Mt Rainier National Park. He's right about that...
Let's start by making sure we are talking about Oregon's Larch Mountain and not one of the two Larch Mountains in Washington, and not the one in Idaho either.
UPDATE MARCH 2022 - Permits required weekends April 23 to June 12, plus Memorial Day.
Dog Mountain is a wonderful climb nine months of the year - but in March we went from spotty sun and 38F to snow blowing sideways at 25 mph and perhaps 27F in a partial white out. It's a bit less than eight miles round trip with 2900 feet of gain.