Activation Reports

A near drive-up summit in the Coast Range. From Highway 36 near Milepost 18, take paved Nelson Mountain Road east. When the pavement ends just before 3 miles, turn uphill to stay on Nelson Mountain Road (my GPS called it Chickahominy). Do not go through the yellow gate - that's the 17-8-14 Road. Continue up to just past the 4 mile sign at a four way intersection turn right onto Walker Point Road. Go 3.2 miles on Walker Pt Road, Head up to a yellow gate about 0.1 miles from the summit and go on foot into the AZ. I activated near some spur roads off the summit to avoid any RFI.

Medicine Point is a popular US Forest Service rental lookout.  The hike is pleasant on a well-maintained good-grade trail, FS #181.  I set up SOTA operation a couple of hundred feet away from the lookout to not disturb a young couple that had rented it. Much of the southerly ridge from the trail junction to the lookout is within the activation zone. A highlight of seen wildlife, numerous mule deer and Clark’s nutcrackers was a very dark silver-fox hunting golden mantle squirrels and chipmunks in a large boulder field. 

There are several trip reports available for Rock Peak, WA. I used: https://www.summitpost.org/rock-peak/709367 which had correct directions.  It is also accurate about the hike up being a short, steep, slippery ascent with medium density forest floor brush. Peakbagger has several other reports (https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=16430)

This unnamed summit is a bald rocky grassland overlooking a large mostly roadless area (Allan Mountain 01946) and the southern end of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area. It has a very good trail, FS #178 due in part to regular trail maintenance through a huge amount of fire-killed fallen trees. The hike also travels through large southerly-aspect grassland-slopes that could be quite warm during mid-day summer months.

Snags are available around the summit for hanging wire antennas.

FS #728 is a good road suitable for all highway type vehicles to the trailhead. 

Saddle Mountain is near the Lost Trail Pass Ski Area. The SOTA summit access road serves the upper facilities of the ski area. A high clearance vehicle can drive to within 0.25 miles of the summit. The summit has good views. It is very open and rocky with limited space for long wire antennas. 

Trail miles: 0.5 roundtrip

Elevation gain: 140’

Water:  Available at the Rest Area at Lost Trail Pass, Highway #93. None along the access road or summit.

Anderson Mountain is a drive-up for most vehicles (possibly excluding low clearance vehicles). Nearby places to visit include the Big Hole National Battlefield. The Battlefield is the site of an 1877 tragic and deadly encounter between the Nez Perce Tribe and the US Military. The Battlefield Visitor Center is located approximately 17 miles east on Highway #43 from Lost Trail Pass, Idaho/Montana border.

4.9 miles, +2,632 ft, -124 ft; Nice Hike

Driving Directions from Ovando, MT

Pansy Mountain has not been activated since the 2021 fires.  I originally intended to do both Pansy Mountain and Bull of the Woods, but I did not get an early enough start for a late autumn hike.  Getting there is straight forward.  A high clearance vehicle is helpful for a couple of sections, but it is probably not absolutely necessary.  Follow the directions from the Forest Service:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=52988

28Dec2023:  Active logging has begun in this area. 

Getting There: DO NOT USE GOOGLE MAPS TO GET HERE!!!! Google maps will lead you straight to a gated road. Have your GPS open or a map next to you while you try to navigate this. From highway 14, turn North on Rock Creek Driver like you're headed to Skamania Lodge. Continue half a mile and then turn left on Foster Creek Road. Next turn left on Red Bluff Road which will become CG-2000. Continue a little less than a mile until you see the intersection with CG 2022 splitting up the hill to the left.