5.4 miles; + 2,077 feet; -608 feet; From the Petty Creek TH along Ford Creek
From the intersection of Hwy 287 and Main Street in Augusta, travel southwest on Main Street, turn right in 0.3 miles and follow the signs towards Benchmark. The trailhead is at the USFS Double Falls campground 19.3 miles from Augusta.
On a recent trip back from Arizona, we stopped overnight in Battle Mountain, NV. A 10pt summit (W7N/EL-017) was a mere 50 mins away so I made time to head up there. Previous reports indicated that it was an easy, if somewhat long, drive up to the summit and I found that the dirt road was still in excellent shape, though there are several tight switchbacks to be nagivated.
UPDATE: I loaded a partial drive and hike track. Also the road goes on through to west of the summit with a spur road that you can make this a drive up. Never bothered before. You can also exit west side (a bit rocky) to either go find your way to Grizzly Mt or get back to 66. Watch for wild horses and be aware they do not like dogs and will charge!
I've done Chase a few times as it is basically a drive up summit with other easy summits like Hamaker nearby to do the same day if desired. Already enough info on here to find your way up, self explanatory. I just wanted to add that the rf can be very bad on Chase. It seems like each time I go it is getting worse. You can still get your contacts but be prepared for a bit of noise!
de AG7GP
On a recent trip over to eastern Oregon, I had the opportunity to stop in Madras and a nearby summit Round Butte (W7O/CN-074) beckoned. The directions from Google Maps led me up the approach from the north which turns onto a dirt road. It is drivable in good, dry conditions but if you are at all worried there is another approach by continuing on west and around which finally climbs from the south. That road is paved all the way to the top. The paving is crumbling in places but still drivable.
I received some pointers from Anne, K7AHR, they were crucial to getting there as the map and mapping software suggested turning up the west bank of the Salmonberry River. That road is replete with no trespassing signs.
I had planned to activate a few summits before helping with the Tillamook Burn 100 Miler race but it was cancelled and I had already made the overnight reservations so I decided to activate my way back from Cape Lookout to Portland via Blaine Rd / Nestucca Rd.
Cedar Mountain is now gated and locked. You must have permission from land owner to access BLM land.
On the 3rd day of our Bend trip, I got dropped off at the Lava Butte Visitor Center while my wife and kids sped off to the Bend High Desert Museum. The hike to the top was on a very nice, paved road for 1.75 miles. I made it up in an hour and looked around the lower level of the firewatch tower on the summit and the surrounding views.
Following my activation of Wampus Butte (W7O/CM-095), I proceeded to the next stop on Pringle Butte. It's only a couple miles drive to there and the summit is almost a drive up. Google Maps gave excellent directions to the summit and I probably could have driven all the way but on the last turn up to the top there is a little bit of a washout and I decided to just hike the last 0.4 miles. The summit has a large flat area with a turnaround. It would likely be a nice overnight camping area though there don't appear to be any established campsites.