A fairly short snowshoe near Mt. Hood gets you two points - in the summer this activation may be a bit more challenging in the bushwack.
Wanderers Peak, OR | Dec 2013
A near "drive-up" two-point summit in the Clackamas River drainage with good views. This area is likely busy in the summer but it was mostly quiet on this December day.
Awbrey Butte, OR | Feb 2014
UPDATE March 2023: W7O/CE-213 has been retired (prominance 480 feet).
Leisurely stroll
Longwire mnt. 2012-07-15 CN96jv50
Quickly, after Old Scab I activate this plateau as well. So far the most-most easiest "hike", or more like a walk in a park. Driving only a mile further up from Old Scab trailhead I reach the top of the mountain. Here is a big open space. Park the car in the shade and start to collect this giveaway six point.
Announcement: Major Events for 2014
Yes, yes, I know it's a bit early but here's the three and a half major 2014 NA SOTA events for folks who need to orchestrate travel time around summer family vacations, etc.
1) International SOTA Weekend: The 3-4th of May this year. Many European Activators and Chasers will be active so it's a great opportunity for "across the pond" SOTA activity.
View Benchmark, UT | January 2014
A pleasant activation nearly any time of year near Draper, Utah.
Activation of Thomas Cairn 1.20.2014
I had been wondering about the peak Thomas Cairn for awhile after
elk hunting in the Snow Peak area in Linn county this year. Although
it was not eligible for winter points, I just had to get up there
and see what it looked like up close.
Thomas Cairn is in an remote part of Linn county closest to the
town of Scio. I got there by first going to Scio then taking Oregon
226, 6.75 miles to the Camp Morrison Road. This turnoff is easily
identifiable by the Hannah covered bridge there.
Follow Morrison Camp road for 4.7 miles to a unmarked, nondescript
SOTA Activation: Wilderness Peak, King County, Washington - January 19, 2014
On a quck training hike for our Switzerland Hiking / Climbing tour next July / August, I decided to throw in my 2M HT at the last minute. Wilderness Peak is an easy 4 miles RT hike gaining 1200 feet, to a summit elevation of 1,600. It is easily accessible from my home QTH in Bellevue, WA. Park on SR900 (Issaquah - Renton Road). The hike is through mostly wooded terrain, with some sections of lovely old growth Douglas Fir and Cedar trees. One (1) hour up and 48 minutes down. A few other hikers and trail runners en route.
Some back country skiing, and an activation.
Here's a quick report on my activation yesterday of W7I/NI-106, ie, 6114. The mountain is on the Idaho-Montana border, just off Interstate-90, and across the valley from the Lookout Pass Ski area. This area seems to get snow when other places don't. So although the ski season has been rather boring here, this hike provided a nice opportunity to get into the woods and do an activation again.
Peak 6001, OR | Oct 2013
This yet unnamed peak deserves a good name as it's a very worthwhile activation. It's a bit out of the way but very quiet compared to nearby Lookout Mountain and the views on a clear day of Mount Hood are excellent. These are directions from the NORTH - this road is suitable for HIGH CLEARANCE vehicles that you don't much care about.