Peak 5180 (one of four with the same name in Idaho) appeared to be a relatively accessible summit off Blacks Creek Rd, SE of Boise Idaho.  After some discussions with a co-worker (AKA Erik the Mountain Goat) I learned that there was a developing trail around the base of Peak 5180.  It's a 16 mile adventurous Mtn bike trail.  Erik had also hiked this peak during the winter using a drirect route up the ridge (see links below).  After a study of Google earth, I decided to take this trail for a mile or so and then turn up onto one of the ridges leading to the summit.

First SOTA Activation of Lookout Mountain, a smallish, somewhat obscure SOTA peak, above the town of Cle Elum.  Lookout Mountain is 3,465 Feet in elevation (1,056 Meters), which makes it feasible even in winter, when the high country is still buried in snow.  This Lookout Mountain is NOT to be confused with Lookout Mountain (W7W/CW-037).  This joint Activation, together with my SOTA Buddy, Tim, KG7EJT, took quite a bit of reserach and planning to achieve.  The easy / old way to reach the summit was from the South.  However, over the last decade or so, the entire southern exposure of Lookout Mountain has changed hands in ownership, and is now a "gated" community of large land parcels & homes. This necessitated a cross country brush beat to summit from the North.

On midwinter trip to Southern California to visit family, once again we set aside time for several SOTA Activations.  This report details the Activation of Point 4202, off SR2, the Angeles Crest Highway, in the San Gabriel Mountains.  I had previously Activated many nearby SOTA Summits, and had driven right below and by Point 4202 without being aware of it.  Being our last day in So. Cal. we looked for a short Activation with easy to get to trailhead.  Point 4202 fit the bill easy, allowing us to get back to Burbank in plenty of time to catch our afternoon flight from Burbank Airport back to Seattle.

On midwinter trip to Southern California to visit family, once again we set aside time for several SOTA Activations.  This report details the Activation of Occidental Peak, very close to the famous Mount Wilson Observatory.  I has previously Activated the adjacent San Gabriel Peak, and had observed Occidental close by.

Here's an activation on the way to the coast. There's a short hike of about 1.2 miles RT and 400 feet of gain. A GPS will be Very Handy to get you to the summit.

Here's a drive-up activation on the way to the coast. A GPS will be very handy to get you to the summit.

Here's a drive-up activation on the way to the coast. A GPS will be very handy to get you to the summit. Just west of the Highway 26 Rest Area at Milepost 28, turn south onto an unsigned dirt road. After about 0.3 miles keep left on the main track of Sterling Ranch Road. You'll go 2.7 miles farther on this road, taking a left at a large triangle intersection.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, I completed my first winter SOTA at Shafer Butte, Idaho (W7I/BC-064).  Best way to get there is take the Bogus Basin Road 16 miles from Boise to Bogus Basin Ski Area, then continue about another couple miles to Pioneer (upper) Lodge parking lot.  During ski season Pioneer Lodge has open restrooms, lunch room, dining area, and beer bar.  From the Pioneer Lodge one can snowshoe or nordic ski up a ski trail or transverse the mountain from about 6,750' elevation for about a mile to Shafer Butte 7,582'.

Winter Adventures in Joshua Tree National Park, California.  On a recent trip to California to visit family, we took some time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, and Activate a couple SOTA peaks.  We made the town of Twenty Nine Palms our base, "roughing it" in the relatively new Holiday Inn Express facility, and making day excursions on February 1 & 2.  This is report 2 of 2, detailing Activation of an unnamed peak, Point 5540.

Winter Adventures in Joshua Tree National Park, California.  On a recent trip to California to visit family, we took some time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, and Activate a couple SOTA peaks.  We made the town of Twenty Nine Palms our base, "roughing it" in the relatively new Holiday Inn Express facility, and making day excursions on February 1 & 2.  This is report 1 of 2, detailing Activation of Ryan Mountain.