The trail was difficult at this time of year with significant blowdown from an ice storm in February. I actually turned back twice but then decided to give it one more try. (Well, two more.) The attached photo shows the obliterated trail - the blowdown went on for almost a mile. I also hit continuous snow at 2200 feet (Augspurger tops out near 3700). I eventually lost the trail again in the snow kicking steps and then was postholing for about an hour.
PNW SOTA Activations - Some Statistics
Update, 10-Oct-2012
Of the 7,117 SOTA peaks in the Northwest (Oregon, Washington and Idaho), 313 have been activated (still just 4%). There have been 50 more activated in Oregon and Washington since 1-August-2012.
Mount Scott, OR (Clackamas County) | Jan-2012
THIS Mount Scott (Scott, Mount in the ARM) is a volcanic cinder cone (extinct) southeast of Portland, Oregon.
Prune Hill, WA | Jan-2012
Prune Hill is an extinct volcanic vent, 755 feet ASL, located in Camas, Washington, about 30 minutes from Portland, Oregon. This summit is in a suburban neighborhood with no public space near the summit itself.
Activating Pinnacle Peak, WA 9/27/2012
Fred Beckey's book, 'Cascade Alpine Guide' tells readers that Pinnacle Peak is not the highest in the Tatoosh peaks, but Pinnacle's central position and attractive form have made it the most popular ascent in Mt Rainier National Park. He's right about that...
Larch Mountain, OR | Feb-2012
Let's start by making sure we are talking about Oregon's Larch Mountain and not one of the two Larch Mountains in Washington, and not the one in Idaho either.
Dog Mountain, WA | March-2012
UPDATE MARCH 2022 - Permits required weekends April 23 to June 12, plus Memorial Day.
Dog Mountain is a wonderful climb nine months of the year - but in March we went from spotty sun and 38F to snow blowing sideways at 25 mph and perhaps 27F in a partial white out. It's a bit less than eight miles round trip with 2900 feet of gain.
No Access to Biddle Butte, WA
Biddle Butte is also known as Mount Zion and is located in Skamania County, Washington, about 20 miles west of Portland, Oregon. Biddle Butte is 1,460 feet ASL and was named for Henry J. Biddle, an early conservationist of the Gorge. Biddle was responsible for building the trail to the top of Beacon Rock, completed in 1918. There is no public access to this summit.
Announcement: Vanity Name the Numbered Peak Program
SOTA-based Vanity Name the Numbered Peak Promotion Ends
The W7O Vanity Name the Numbered Peak Promotion ended 01 March 2023. All vanity names have been retired. The text below is the original proposal for vanity names as a reference to the original intentions and guidance for Vanity Names.
Paulina Peak, OR | Sep-2012
This is a straightforward drive-up activation about an hour south of Bend with great views. Paulina Peak and North Paulina Peak are both in the Newberry National&nbs