W6/SS-428 Mt Savage

 We wanted to get one more Yosemite trip in before the weather got too cold and rainy, so we booked the only campsite we could, in Wawona Campground. This was a new area of the park for both of us, and is worth a visit if you have extra time. Since SOTA time was limited, I decided to go up the summit first thing in the morning to Mt Savage.

One of the planets (probably Venus) rising.

I parked in a lot in front of the Wawona Hotel. As far as I could tell, this was not reserved for guests only, and either way the hotel was closed for renovations. I crossed the highway and golf course, the turned left onto the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail. This trail is partially paved, and goes around the meadow, with the highway on the far side. 

The meadow through the trees (from my return)

At the far side of the meadow there is a trail juction, which I almost missed in the dark. I turned right onto the trail, which quickly began heading up the hill. After a short distance it becomes single track and starts following contours more than going straight up. There was a strong inversion too. As I climbed the temperature increased noticeably. This was good news, since I wasn't really prepared to activate in the freezing cold. It must be in decent shape, since I had no problems following the trail by headlamp.

The scenery isn't as good at night.

The other end of the single track is a fire road. The road appears to be used, there were tire tracks and plenty of freshly cut trees along it. I turned left and continued up the hill to the height of land. Here there was a small clearing. I had read in previous trip reports that there was an unmaintained trail to the summit, but I couldn't see where it started in the early dawn, so I made my best guess and started up the hill. I found the trail pretty quickly, so I guess I'm a good guesser.

Sun is about to rise.

The use trail led me right to the summit. The first part of it didn't go straight up, but after a turn it did. Pretty steep. There are some large rocks on top, high enough to give a good view if you walk up to the top. This was a nice surprise, otherwise there would have been no view.

It was a bit windy, so I didn't set up on the rocks, but out of the wind just below. Despite the early hour I had no problems making contacts while watching the sky get brighter as the dawn neared its end.

Start of the use trail.

I had to get back to the campsite so I couldn't hang out on top as long as I would have liked. It was a quick run back to the road, then to the single track as I retraced my steps. Since the sun had come up I was able to enjoy the forest views and make good time. Back at the meadow it was still freezing cold, so I kept moving to get back in the relatively warmer car for the short drive to the Wawona campground.

Alpenglow from the valley.

Trailhead: Wawona Hotel parking lot.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the trail around the meadow, then the trail up to the road. At the height of land, find the use trail and take it to the top.

Red Tape: None, just the standard national park things.

Video: Coming Soon!

W0C/MZ-051

 This peak is a short distance north of Steamboat Springs. While planning for my trip, I was surprised to see it hadn't been activated before, since it didn't look like a hard one. The best place to start is probably the Red Dirt Trailhead on CR 129. There is a pullout with space for about half a dozen cars. The trail was easy to follow, but the brush along it could have used some trimming.

Near the start of the trail.

 The first short section of the trail is parallel to the road as it slowly climbs across a steep slope. When it reaches the end of the steep section, it turns right and heads into the woods. 

Along the trail.

 The trail appears to get enough use to keep the tread clear, but the brush was growing over it. It had rained the night before, so my legs and shoes were quickly soaked. I manage to keep my shirt mostly dry. There wasn't rain in the forecast until late morning, but the clouds kept coming and going.

Entering the wilderness area, relatively close to the peak.

The trail climbs steadily, with only one section that loses a little bit of elevation before crossing a meadow. The Red Dirt Trail does not go over the summit, so a little bushwhacking is required. There is a large boulder at the high point of the trail, and I turned off here to go up. I started going up a wide clearing, but the brush was pretty bad. It was much easier going in the forest.

View from the summit.

I was surprised to find a clearing with a view at the summit. There was even a register. It had warmed up a little since I left the trailhead, but was still chilly, so I didn't wait too long to get on the air. I had cell service on top. Once I made my contacts, however, I packed up and headed down. I was getting chilly.

Crossing one of the aspen stands.

 

I stayed in the forest until I got to the trail, then jogged back. This went well until I was a mile or two from the car when I tripped and donated a little blood to the trail. A yearly donation. Back at the car I tried to text my wife, but there was no service. That would have to wait until I was almost back in town.
 

Fish Creek Falls, which we visited later in the day.

  

Trailhead: Red Dirt Trail, on CR 129 north of town.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the Red Dirt Trail to its high point, then go through the woods to the summit.

Red Tape: None. 

W0C/PR-012 Mt Werner

 At the top of the big ski area in Steamboat Springs is Mt Werner. In the winter, one could take the lift up to the top, but in the summer it takes a bit more work. From the village area at the base, we bought our gondola tickets, and took the ride up. The views from the top of the gondola were great, but our goal was the summit.

View from a parking lot.

From the gondola, the route is fire roads all the way to the top. Head away from the buildings, over a relatively flat section. In a col on the other side there was a big junction. Start heading up. 

Top of the gondola. The summit is the peak on the left.

From this intersection, the trail takes a few large switchbacks up the hill, on the Storm Peak Challenge Road. There is a large lodge/restaurant at one. It was closed when we walked by, but I'm sure its hopping during ski season.

Looking down one of the ski slopes.

 

Eventually the road begins making tighter switchbacks across what appears to be a wide ski slope. This means you're getting close to the top. The Run Rabbit Run ultra was going on while we were hiking, so as I crested the hill I was greeted by bells and cheering from the people manning the aid station on the ridge. I stopped to talk for a minute, then pushed up the last little bit to the summit.

Mt Werner summit.

There is a building on the slightly lower sub-peak, and a communications tower at the high point. I set up out of the wind on the sub-peak to try and stay away from the tower's RF. After making my contacts, and seeing some lightning in the distance, I tagged the high point and booked it down the hill. Since it was there, I tagged Storm Peak before heading down the switchbacks.

One of the aspen groves on the mountain.

I caught up with the others, and we all headed down to find a sheltered spot to have lunch. After lunch, the rain started. It seemed to start right before the runners began to pass us. It got much stormier later that evening, so I wasn't to envious of them. Back at the gondola we headed down to the base, then took the bus back to our hotel.

Trailhead: In the summer, take the gondola up. In the winter, head all the way to the ridge then boot up the last little bit. Easy access to the ski village at the base on the free bus from downtown.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take Storm Peak Challenge Road up to the summit.

Red Tape: None. If you don't want to pay for the gondola, just hike up from the base.

Video: coming soon!

W6/SS-334 Big Baldy

 We were in Kings Canyon National Park for the weekend, and I wanted to get some SOTA in. So the last morning I woke up early to run up this peak. From our campsite in the Grant Grove area, it was a quick drive to the trailhead. There is roadside parking, and a board with some information and a map. At 5:30, I had my choice of parking spaces. 

Dawn breaks.

 

 

I didn't know how many bears lived in the area, so I talked to myself as I headed up. I didn't really want to encounter one. The trail was easy to follow in the dark as it went through the forest. It was flat, then there were some switchbacks. From that point in seemed to alternate between uphill and flat sections.

Sunrise in Kings Canyon NP.

 

 

It was still before sunrise when I got to the summit, and rather cold, so I continued south along the ridge to the peak at the end of the ridge. After tagging it I turned around, and got back to the summit just as the sun did. The temperature didn't change much, but it felt warmer in the sun.

On the air.

 

As the peak's name suggests, the top is bare. There are, however, enough small trees and bushes that I was able to easily put up my short KH1 antenna. On the air I started on 15m, hoping the band would still be open to Europe. It didn't seem to be, but I got some contacts anyway. There were more to be had on 20m, but no one on 40m. Maybe all the west coast chasers were still asleep.

It was still cold and I had promised KN6REU I'd be back at a normal breakfast time, so I packed up. The run down to the car was quick now that the sun was up and I could see well. In camp we made pancakes, then enjoyed the Giant Sequoias before heading home.

General Grant, the third largest tree on earth.

 

Trailhead: Roadside parking along the Generals Highway, north of the summit.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow the well-worn trail to the top.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming Soon!

 

Along the Congress Trail in Sequoia NP. Pictures don't really capture how big these trees are.

DL/EW-001 Wank

 It was sunny and hot, very hot, as we arrived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen after visiting Berchtesgaden. The upside, however, was great views of the surrounding peaks. As we ate dinner that evening we debated whether we wanted to go up Zugspitze or Wank the next day.

Zugspitze from the grocery store parking lot.

 

In the end we decided to see what the weather was like the next morning. It was overcast, with a decent chance of rain. So, it was decided Wank was the answer. It was a pleasant walk from our hotel over to the base of the gondola, through some residential areas of the town.

Wank, peeking out from behind a church.

 There was no line to get on the gondola, and we were soon heading up the hill. As we climbed, the views over the valley got better and better. There is a station halfway up where the cable makes a turn. We could have gotten off here and walked the rest of the way, but we were feeling lazy. 

Looking towards Zugspitze. Partenkirchen is closer, Garmisch farther.

From the summit station it was a few minutes walk up the last few meters to the summit. There is a large cross at the high point, and a restaurant. For an activator, the best part was all the benches at and around the summit. 

Similar view, but from the summit. We sat on that bench to operate.

We picked out a bench with a nice view, and I got on the air. There was cell service on top, using the Magenta SIM card we got in Vienna. This helped me a lot, being able to put out spots. Conditions had also seemed to improve after the bad time I had in Austria. I had no problem getting contacts, and even had a small pile up. One or two chasers "worked" me, but they were just calling over someone else. 

Playground and other stuff at the summit.

 Once I had tired of the unruly pileup, I packed up. It seemed like it was going to rain, but we never got more than a few drops. We walked around the summit area some before getting in the gondola back to the base. Later we went over to Eibsee for lunch, another picturesque area just outside of town.

  

Trailhead: For the easy way, the gondola station at the base. There are plenty of hiking trails if you're cheap or want some excercise.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: From the summit gondola station, walk up the path to the top.

Red Tape: None.

Video: coming soon!