On March 4, 2020, I accomplished the first SOTA Activation of Park Benchmark, Utah. While researching the vicinity of Park City, Utah, for a downhill ski trip, I was very surprised to learn that this easy to climb peak had not been Activated before. Park Benchmark, W7U/SM-042, has an elevation of 9,363 feet, and fantastic 360 degree views of the mighty Wasatch and Western Uinta Mountain Ranges.
Located about 50 miles SE of Bend off of Hwy 20 is Frederick Butte (W7O/CE-130). This is a good summit to combine with Hampton Butte (W7O/CE-074) if you’re visiting this part of central Oregon. Frederick has fairly easy BLM road access to reach the base of the butte - via Frederick Butte Road, 10mi drive south of Hwy 20 - but requires a mile climb bushwhacking up to the summit. The map below shows the route I took, which I recommend. There are other more direct routes, but know that near the top it gets very rocky and bushy. I had good Verizon cell and data ser
Cougar Mountain is an easy drive up near Seaside, OR. Or is it?
The conundrum comes because of two gates. Both were open when I went up, neither had signs, not even the seemingly mandatory warning about closing at any time. I rolled the dice this time, but now that I know what's up there I'll bring a bike if I come back.
Here are the directions which work regardless of your mode of transport. That includes the carefully driven passenger car, although this route had less than the normal amount of potholes, so not so carefully? Watch out for log trucks anyway.
Update: I hauled my bicycle to the gate to do a biketavation of this summit. However, the gate was open and the sign restricting access was gone. This is as of 29-May-2021. Not sure what has happened but I drove up without incident. Missed the bike ride, but there will be others. Always a gamble driving past a gate.
North Chuckanut is a heavily treed summit with very limited views, but is a nice well-marked hike. On a cloudy and rainy Saturday, the trail was well used. To access the summit, use the Pine & Cedar Lakes trailhead which is easily accessed off I-5 near Bellingham, WA. There is good parking and no pass required.
Directions:
Skagit Gadget is a 1-point summit, located within ~20 minutes of I-5 in Skagit County. Some of the area has been logged, and it is a 4 mile road hike with ~700 ft of gain. Both times I've actived as a second summit for the day, and was thankful to squeeze in enough vhf contacts before a new UTC day rollover. Trees are starting to grow near the summit activation area, but there are some views at summit...and more views hiking up.
Directions:
You are in Vancouver for a short time, and want to activate a summit. Where to go? Burnaby Mountain!!
Burnaby Mountain Park is located just 30 minutes east of downtown Vancouver BC. The park offers scenic views, hiking trails, sculptures, and gardens. It also happens to be an easy one-point SOTA summit! It might be the easiest summit in Canada, eh? Most importantly it offers great views and interesting sculpture to keep your significant other / non-ham friends busy while you play radio.
Here is an easy drive up near Cole Mountain. Unpaved roads are good gravel with a few pot holes here and there. Should be alright in any vehicle as of this writing. My Garmin gps and google maps were worthless finding this summit. So here is my attempt to make it easier for the next activator.
While in the Tri-Cities area for a family event, was able to activate Badger mountain later in the afternoon. The trail is very open, and would be very hot during the middle of summer days. In the evening, there were many people using the trail. Since the trail is so open, I enjoyed the views for miles around and seeing the Tri-Cities from a different perspective.
For Mother's Day 2019, was able to blend a family hike and very quick SOTA activation. Activating Guemes Island includes a short ferry ride from Anacortes, and shorter hike (2.2m round-trip) with minor elevation gain (~587 ft). The summit area has great views, and has both a great open space along with areas of trees for antenna's and/or holding a mast. No pass is required at the trailhead, but there is limited parking for ~4 cars.