From Pocatello Idaho go South on I-15 until you reach the McCammon Idaho exit. From there take highway 30 towards Lava Hot Springs. Before you begin your accent up Fish Creek pass heading to Soda Springs Id you will see a highway sign saying Blazer Hwy on your left before you cross the Portneuf River. Take this old Hwy North approx 9 miles. You will see a FS sign saying Big Springs Camp Ground. Take a left on the Pebble Creek Rd that heads to the campground. Before you reach the campground you will see a road to your right call Long Gulch Rd on maps...
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Peak 7180 IDAHO August 23, 2023
From Pocatello Idaho go South on I-15. Turn off onto Highway 30 towards Lava Hot Springs. Proceed to the Lava Hot Springs golf course and take Smith Canyon Rd South approximately 3.2 miles until you hit the Forest Service Boundry at 42.54653, -112.06385. There is no trailhead so you will have to park safely on one of the nearby pullouts.
Peak 7060 IDAHO August 12, 2023
Proceed South from Pocatello Idaho to Mink Creek Recreation area. Traavel South on the main Mink Creek Rd. which turns into South Mink Creek. On your right hand side heading south you will see a ORV turning right (42.70139 -112.43832). This ORV road is Clifton Creek which takes you to Elk Meadows. You will take this road approx. 6.2 miles. At 42.74659 -112.47098 you will come to a junction of roads. Here you will begin your hiking approach to the summit.
East Butte, OR | August 2023
East Butte is a moderate hike with fairly easy access that most passenger cars would have no problem with. It has beautiful 360 views of SE Deschutes County Oregon and is very worth the drive. It would also make a great motorcycle SOTA outing when the trail to the top is open.
Full report here
North Green Mtn, WA | Sept 2023 (with permit)
2023 update: You can access North Green Mountain if you purchase a Weyerhaeuser permit https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com. You will need the “Longview – St Helens” one.
Wilkes Hills, WA | Sept 2023 (with permit)
You can access Wilkes Hills if you purchase a Weyerhaeuser permit https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com. You will need the “Longview – St Helens” one. There is no rec permit access gate from the I5/Burma Road side. You have to go around to the East side a bit. It is about 8 miles from the intesection of Tower Road and Hwy 504.
Signal Peak, WA | Sept 2023
Signal Peak is a 12.7 mile Priusable drive up with some pot holes that are easily navigated. It does not need a Weyerhaeuser permit for access. Although you traverse through Weyerhaeuser land, the road you take is designed as a “Public Access Corridor” to the state forest where the Signal Peak summit is located.
Elk Rock, WA | Sept 2023 (with permit)
You can access Elk Rock if you purchase a Weyerhaeuser permit https://recreation.weyerhaeuser.com. You will need the “Longview – St Helens” one. If you purchased the non-motorized permit, you can follow the trail described in a previous summit report (https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/elk-rock).
6260 (New Lake Butte)
New (and Improved!) Lake Butte 6260 W7O/NE-264
There are three options for getting to this peak.
Priusable road: Hike 4.2 miles RT with 900 ft elevation gain.
High clearance 4x4: Hike from a hunting camp 2.75 miles and 700 ft elevation gain.
High clearance 4x4 and willing copilot: Hike 1.75 miles and 500 ft of gain
Bald Hill CAN be activated from Lord Hill Park
Bald Hill (W7W/SN-183) is at the high point found at the south end of Lord Hill in Snohomish County. Most of Lord Hill is a Snohomish County park. However, the actual summit is just south of the park on a private residential property.