W7O/SC-184 October 2016

A Fairly easy peak off US-101 south of Gold Beach, Oregon.  Take Carpenterville Road about 10 miles to Powerline Road, which is blocked by a blue gate off to your right.  Park across Carpenterville Road and walk about 1 mile to the summit. Avoid EMI-causing hilltop communications site.

Good coverages on 20 and 40 meters, though some RFI was evident on 40M.

As the photo shows, this was one of my "minimal" operations.  When I don't know how far I'm hiking, I leave my camp stool and folding aluminum table behind.  Operation is from, well, the ground!

Summit

Peak 7420, ID | August 2016

 This peak is about 12 miles NW of McCall Idaho.  There is no trail to the summit, but it is an easy bushwhack.  To get to the "trailhead" take Hwy 55 north out of McCall and take the Brundage Ski area turn off a few miles north of town.  Follow this road to the Brundage Ski area, but instead of turning into the ski area parking lot remain on Goose Lake Rd.

Summit
Keywords

Gem Peak, MT | Sept, 2016

Gem Peak is a drive-up with a fire lookout at the top that is available to rent.  This is an L-4 type lookout on top of a 30-foot tower that was constructed in 1964.  The road up is suitable for most vehicles, so long as they have a bit of clearance.  The road is gated just below the summit & it is likely that the lookout is being used if the gate is closed.

Summit

Haystack Mountain, MT | Oct., 2016

(2.8 miles, +2,200 feet)

Haystack Mountain is a nice hike up a well-maintained trail.  The summit is a large rockpile that has the scattered remains of an old fire lookout (“L-4” type lookout constructed in 1936 & destroyed on 1977).  Although there is room to setup on the summit rockpile, there is a more comfortable flat area about 20-feet below the summit that is well within the activation zone.  The trail may be accessed as follows:

 

Summit

Wards Butte, OR | October 2016

Wards Butte is near Cottage Grove, Oregon and can be accessed from the south by I-5 exit 170 and from the north by exit 174. This summit was not activated. The road to the summit is gated, but not posted, so it should be accessible - however, it appears to be 3.2 miles one-way to the summit - quite a distance for just one point.

Summit

Mount Pisgah, OR | October 2016

Mount Pisgah is a 'near' urban summit just east of Eugene. It is known as Mount Pisgah Arboretum and as the Howard Burford Recreation Area. It's a short 1.5 miles, but steep with 1050 feet of elevation gain from the parking lot to the summit. It features some of the last remaining oak savanna that once dominated the Willamette Valley and the summit has good views. 

Summit