Good Views From Summit

I couldn't resist the perfect weather today and left to go activate Mt. Isabelle but when I got up to the parking area I noticed there was a road that went to Wellington Butte the other direction, to the left. I drove past this butte on 238 for 3 years going to work and I was under the impression it was a closed road, but I was wrong. I carefully made it through snow, ice and mud and had a lovely day.Spectacular view looking down at Applegate River, Ruch, the Siskiyous, Grants Pass, etc. Near 360 view. It reminded me of looking into a curved glass diorama.

There are already a couple blogs for Fielder but I wanted to add a few pics. The first time I went up with quantity on my mind-at least one more summit to do for the day and did not take the time to go to the equipment area and see the spectacular view. Yes this can be a drive up summit on a good day, but be sure to take the stroll to the edge! Great view clear to California snow capped summits and of Grants Pass, Rogue River, and the Rogue River.

We had one foot of snow that prevented us from driving to the very top. Nice little hike.

de AG7GP

3420-W7O/SC-263- I did this summit as a 2nd summit of the day, after Fielder Mountain. It is a lovely summit top, very park like with tall timber including Sugar Pine, Canyon Live Oak, among other evergreens and wildflowers. We parked  below a tree with a large memorial sign for a young man, Zach Marsino. This is right at the final climb up, approx 1/4 mi. up a steep well used OHV/jeep road. The path is obvious.

0.5-miles, +435 ft; from 4wd Approach

I thought I should write up a current summary on Roxy since one has not been done for quite some years and the area has changed. Roxy is the closest summit to my home qth and I enjoy the hike more each time I go up. It is a popular hiking and jogging area especially in the warmer months.

Shingle Mountain summit is a 5-mile out and back hike located Northeast of Dog Mountain and Augspurger Mountain north of the Columbia River accessed from a national forest road just before reaching the Moss Creek Campground. I marked both “Easy Trail” and “Treacherous Trial” above because like many SOTA summits, you get both on this one.

1.6-miles, +821 ft, -160 ft

The Devils Tower hike is a beautiful one that climbs a series of benches through open range and timber. It is nicest in the spring, before it gets too hot. The summit offers panoramic views of the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, the Helena Valley, and the surrounding mountains.

I was tipped-off by K7DJL that Salmo was nearly a drive-up summit not too far from our planned camp on Priest Lake. Turned out that it was a fun scenic drive through cedar and hemlock forest and over a couple of mountain passes. The summit looks into Canada so we decided to spend the night in the saddle between the 1960s era US Forest Service Lookout and the actual summit.

5.1-miles, +1,705 ft, -963 ft; From Elk Mountain TH

I activated Bilk Mountain on Day-1 of a long backpacking trip.

It is a relatively long drive to the trailhead on good Forest Service Roads.  Most vehicles should be able to make it with no troubles, but some clearance is helpful.  This summit combines nicely with W7I/IC-172 (Green Mountain), which is a drive-up.

1.5-miles, +920 ft

Elk Mountain has a notable 2,166 feet of prominence and a pleasant trail to near the summit.

It is a relatively long drive to the trailhead on good Forest Service Roads.  Most vehicles should be able to make it with no troubles, but some clearance is helpful.  This summit combines nicely with W7I/IC-172 (Green Mountain), which is a drive-up.