Summary - a soaring rock summit visible from 4562 with awesome views of MSH, Castle Lake, Mount Adams and Mount Rainier. The summit road is 2WD friendly and the hike is steep but short. Bring a mast and don't count on two meters for contacts.
Summary - At the end of a long drive along the ridge of the Toutle Mountains, a short hike brings you to the open summit with terrific views of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams. Bring HF gear and assume VHF contacts will be rare. ATT service is very good, as is APRS. The roads, up to the summit drive are 2WD friendly; the last bit requires high clearance and AWD or an additional quarter-mile of hiking.
Peak 8740 was first activated a month ago on 08 Aug 2023 by KJ7GRQ and N0DNF. This is a very straightforward “trailhead” from a rough dirt/gravel road. Definitely not Prius friendly and I wouldn’t take anything but a vehicle with more than standard clearance. Recent rains have created water channels, mud puddles and exposed rocks in places. 4WD is not required, however.
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.
K7JTO first activated this summit in June 2020 along with Peak 9335 (W7U/BO-002) and Bull Mountain (W7U/B0-001). His write-up can be found in the Resources section of the SotaMaps peak reference. He provides a very good description of all the peaks along with some great pictures. The following is additional information that may help in planning.
K7JTO first activated this summit in June 2020 along with Peak 9335 (W7U/BO-002) and George Peak (W7U/NU-045). His write-up can be found in the Resources section of the SotaMaps peak reference. He provides a very good description of all the peaks along with some great pictures. The following is additional information that may help in planning.
K7JTO first activated this summit in June 2020 along with George Peak (W7U/NU-045) and Bull Mountain (W7U/B0-001). His write-up can be found in the Resources section of the SotaMaps peak reference. He provides a very good description of all the peaks along with some great pictures. The following is additional information that may help in planning.
NC-103 is a nice driveup in the Tillamook State Forest near Klichis River. It's easy to pair with NC-078, or if you want to do more work, pairs with Stanley Peak NC-030. If you're already at NC-078, it'll take only about 30 minutes to get over here. If you're already at the coast, this peak is only about 10 miles of gravel road driving outside of the City of Tillamook.
I did Willow after Ball. It is a trek up through the timber, navigating up a ridge around the lava rock and trees. Not bad at all. See my tracks. On top it is a little tight to set up because of the steepness and rock and brush but very doable in the AZ.
It had been 4 years since I went down to do Ball Mt and I'm not sure why I don't get down here more. Ball is a great <2mi RT hike on a gated lookout road. I love the lookout on Ball. There are great views with ample space and choice of location in the AZ, exposed around LO or go down into the trees a little. Each time I have gone I have also done Willow Creek Mt and this trip added Eagle Rock also. All can be done in a day if you plan accordingly.