Activation Reports

Lovely mostly shady hike to a peak with a good view of mt hood. Highly recommended activation.

There are a few routes to get to Mount Defiance. We took the hike from Warren lake described here on Oregon Hikers (different from 2012 trip report). 

Frog Lake Buttes is a popular SOTA destination that was moved slightly from its old high point in March of 2023. The old summit plays host to a cell tower and is accessible via both road and trail. The new summit lies approximately 0.4 miles NE of the old one with a deep enough col between the two that a new designator was assigned. This new summit requires a short bushwhack from the old and is easily accessible during summer months.

Black Butte is a moderate hike, with phenomenal views of the Central Oregon Cascade range. There is an active fire tower that should be avoided, as the public is not allowed near the tower during fire season. The hike is a 2.1 mile, steady pitch that ascends 1600ft from the parking area. Getting to the trailhead can be done in any passenger car, though the last mile is a bit rough due to a lot of runoff from the heavy snows this past winter. From US Highway 20 turn South on FS-11, then take a left on FS-1110 to the parking area.

• FS 60 will get you within 1 mile of the summit. The 1412 spur can be used to get 0.17 miles closer, but after that it has 2-3 foot berms that can only be passed by foot or vehicles with high clearance. The PCT can be used from FS 60 for 0.75 miles to get to a good start for bushwhacking. The northeast side of the butte has the most gradual slope to the summit, and offers easy bushwacking with thin trees and sparse undergrowth. From the PCT, it's 0.30 miles to the summit, with 448 feet of elevation gain. 

I was surprised to find what looked like an un-activated drive up summit only an hour drive (to the base) from Bend, OR. From Bend, head South on 97 and take the exit for South Century Drive. Head through Sun River on Spring River Rd, which turns into Conklin Rd. Hang a left on Upper Deschutes Road aka NF 40. Follow this and it crosses Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway afterwich it becomes NF 4630. Hang a right on NF 640 and follow past Little Cultus Lake. I parked at the pullout at 43.81061, -121.88230.

• Two options for bushwhacking: north or south. Both options are serviced by well-maintained FS roads. The south side is a bit shorter, with 100 feet less of elevation gain, and satellite imagery shows significantly thinner vegetation. For reasons that I cannot recall, I chose the north side, and it was a grueling mosquisto infested snag of deadfall and thick young trees: a distance of 0.37 miles, with 484 feet of elevation gain. 

• FS 2154-236 will get you 0.25 miles from the main north ridgeline that leads to the summit. Parking is available on the corner of the road. Nearby is an austere helipad, which should be avoided.
• An easy short bushwhack along the north ridge leads to an old trail to the summit, with 262 feet of elevation gain.
• Summit consists of a narrow rocky spine with steep dropoffs on two sides. The remains of an old lookout tower can be found on a small flat area that makes for a good—albeit treeless—place to set up. 

• Timpanogas road will get you 1.6 miles from the main east rideline that leads to the summit. From there, FS 2134-250 can be walked, biked, or used by vehicles capable of passing over 1-2 ft berms built up to prevent washout. 
• An easy 0.30 mile bushwhack along the east ridge leads to the summit, with 249 feet of elevation gain.
• Summit consists of a large slightly sloped open area with a long rocky spine, surrounded by trees.
• Mosquitos are intense—head net strongly advised. 

• FS 2154 offers good parking 0.36 miles east of the summit (spur 175 is closed). The roads from the north, off FS 21, were generally well-maintained with many options for rerouting. A two-wheel drive vehicle would likely have no issue in dry conditions.
• Moderate bushwhack to summit along the east ridge with 462 ft of elevation gain.
• Mosquitos are intense—head net strongly advised. 
• Summit consists of a rocky spine with one tree for shade. Options for antenna setups are limited.

• FS roads may get you within 0.16 miles of summit, but could be blocked by down trees. The roads from the north, off FS 21, were generally well-maintained with many options for rerouting. A two-wheel drive vehicle would likely have no issue in dry conditions.
• Moderate bushwhack to summit with 148 ft of elevation gain.
• Mosquitos are intense—head net strongly advised. 
• Summit lightly forested with good options for various antenna setups.