Activation Reports

See KJ7LSM's nice writeup of this summit. I'll only add that, in March 2025, the gate to the last leg of the road is closed (see the southernmost point of the hike,below, resulting in an 800 foot, 1.7 mile walk up the remaining gravel road. There's room for one or two vehicles at the Y in the road while still providing passage if someone with access wants to pass through the gate.

Directions to the trailhead

The Plan

First-ever activation? Wait, isn't that private property? The answer to both of those questions is YES. But let me tell you a quick story...

The hike to Bob’s has almost doubled. From just over 3 mi RT to just over 6 mi RT. Elevation gain increased 400ft from 1100 to 1500. The Washington DNR has placed a new gate at 45.64596, -122.20734. There was no signage and I am not sure if the gate will always be closed. But seems prudent to plan on the longer hike. There is plenty of parking near the gate. Hopefully this will cut down on the amount of trash on the hill, which was always the down side of doing this peak.

For my first activation in the Pacific Northwest, I chose South Tiger Mountain. It was a "suggested first summit," a short drive from home, and a relatively easy hike. It was also a 2-pointer, another first for me. 

UPDATE: the instructions given by Bill WJ7WJ in A Good Hand of Pinochle are still accurate.  However, when I was up there last week, there were several trees that had blown over the road and only some of them had been cleared.  I had forgotten to bring the chainsaw and they were too thick to cut with my bow saw.

Unfortunately this summit is located on the Phillipi Ranch which is private property.  Phillipi Canyon Rd (County Rd) takes you to the well-signed No Trespassing large sign.  I talked to the Ranch caretaker who lives at the end of the county road.  He said "there's no chance for obtaining permission to enter."  

Prairie hill is a forested 3/4 mile bushwhack over an extremely overgrown old road. It is on public land and getting the “trailhead” is pretty easy. 

Turn off North Bear Creek road onto the gravel forest road at 44.97596, -123.88224. The road was in decent shape and should be passable by any normal vehicle. Continue down this road until 44.96405, -123.92107. There is space for a couple cars to park here. You will need to get out and bushwhack from here. A machete or similar tool could be recommended. 

With a slight gap in my family duties, the time finally came for one last 2024 SOTA adventure on Vedder Mountain (W7W/WH-196). Perched along the US–Canada border and overlooking Sumas and North Whatcom County, this summit has been on my list for a while. The best part of this activation? Bringing along my new hiking buddy, Nella, our Red Retriever puppy!