Lakeside Ridge is an easy to get to summit with a nice hike of about 1.5 miles one way on a dirt road. It offers plenty of space and plenty of small trees to lean a mast against or string an antenna on. It's a pretty nice place for an activation. We had some pretty nice weather, the sounds of cows nearby and good DX. I was able to log New Zealand and France.
I went to Bend to visit my in-laws over the weekend and had time for one summit. Figured I would get my monies worth and go for a ten pointer I knew I could activate, Mount Bachelor.
I activated Mount Bachelor in 2018. For that activation I took the lift to the Pine Marten Lodge and hiked to the summit from there. I told myself the next time I activated this one I would start my hike from the bottom.
"Trailhead" for Red Mountain has been moved. Etienne's trip report is here. Follow his directions but now drive Road 6048 to 45.9186° -121.8189° and a gate (the last half mile or so of this road is not very Priusable). This makes the RT about 4 miles and 1300 feet of gain. There's a spot for 2 cars, maybe 3 or more if others agree to let their car be blocked in. Less hiking now. Or you can still opt to park at the old trailhead and walk the road.
West Soda Peaks is a nice hike. Probably better when it's not raining.
Guy, N7UN has provided access info HERE. I just wanted to add a little to it.
From Portland take I-84 to Bridge of the Gods. Toll is $2.
Cross the bridge and turn right onto WA-14.
Travel to Wind River HWY and turn left.
Turn left onto Hemlock
Turn right onto Little Soda Springs Rd/Szydlo Rd
3780 Top Loaded Mountain is an easy 4 point summit in Washington. I was able to activate this summit while out camping with my family at nearby Chehalis RV and Camping Resort. Looking for summits nearby to activate using my SOTA Spotter app 3780 Top Loaded Mountain and Rooster Rock showed up and both had been activated already. Usually that's a good sign that there is a good way to the summit.
Rooster Rock is an easy 4 point summit in Washington. I was able to activate Rooster Rock while out camping with my family at nearby Chehalis RV and Camping Resort. Looking for summits nearby to activate using my SOTA Spotter app Rooster Rock and 3780 Top Loaded Mountain showed up and both had been activated already. Usually that's a good sign that there is a good way to the summit.
Had the day off from work and headed out to activate this summit with Dave, N7LKL. Turned out to be a great day with nice weather.
We started off on 2m FM and each of us had at least 4 contacts in no time. And then proceeded to set up HF, where our good fortunes continued, reaching the East Coast. With the band conditions the way they are I consider that good DX, especially running around 4 watts from my MTR.
Triangulation Point is a nice place for a couple of activators to set up 2 HF stations(where I set up). I didn't go all the way to where the equipment was. There was a sign warning of RF levels so I didn't go past it.