W7I/SI-217

 This little peak is across the road from Lava Hot Springs. Since it was the winter, and there was snow on the ground, I parked in the empty lot at the corner of Center and River streets. From here it was a short walk up River Street to Highway 30. After making it across, I walked up the dirt road to what seemed like a good spot to go up the railroad embankment. I crossed the tracks and was on my way.

Looking up, across the tracks.

The hike up the hill is steep. It was not, however, steep enough to need traction in the snow. Most of the hill just across the tracks is either State or BLM land, so no problems with access. And the scary cliffs you can see from the highway are easy to bypass. Near the top of the ridge I crossed a road, leading to a hut. It wasn't really the direction I wanted to go, so I continued up to the ridge, then across towards the summit. 

Nice views to the west on the way up.

It was a lot easier hiking on the ridge, since it was much less steep. The highest area had more snow, but not enough to make walking difficult. I tagged what appeared to be the high point in some rocks, then went over to find a spot to put up my antenna. On the air I made plenty of contacts, and had great cell service on top. 

Antenna on the summit.

Going down was easy, I just followed my footprints. The steep section was a lot more fun, since I could slide a little on each step to get down faster. At the bottom I carefully crossed the tracks and highway again, and walked back down the road to my car. Overall, it was a fun hike and a great day to be out in the mountains.

Trailhead: Big parking lot at the corner of Center St and River St. In the summer you can probably park on the dirt pullout by the tracks, across the highway.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Walk up River St, cross the highway and train tracks, then head straight up the hill. On the ridge, follow it over to the high point.

Red Tape: I didn't see any signs, so you're probably ok.

Video: Coming soon!

W7I/SI-190 Camelback Mountain

 At first glance, there is no way to get to this peak without trespassing. However, intrepid hiker, this is a public way. A corner of BLM land crosses West Buckskin Road at approximately 42°52'11.0"N 112°21'32.0"W. This is where you should park.

Heading up the hill.

Since it is only a narrow bit of public land at the road, you have to go straight up a rather steep hill. I lucked out and went after a few warm days had melted all the snow from this south facing slope, but it would be treacherous with snow or ice. After climbing a couple hundred feet in way too short a distance, you reach the top of the first hill. The summit is visible, as is the sub-peak you have to go over. Fun. 

At least there are nice views on the way up. 

There are no trails here, but the brush is easy to go through or around. The climb up the sub-peak is steep, maybe a little less than the first climb. On the top you have to drop again before the final climb. Its a real roller coaster of a hike. The final push isn't as bad as the first two. 

Looking south, I think.

The summit is long and narrow. It was pretty windy when I was up there, but the lee side of the hill was also the snowy side, so I decided it would be warmer to sit in the sun and wind. As I was putting up my wire, it broke at the feed point. I didn't want to take off my gloves, so I put it away and did an activation with only the whip. 20m was wide open, and I got a decent pileup. A few people got some extra QSB as the wind blew the whip over and I had to put it back to vertical.

I was able to fix it once I got off the mountain.

To get back, just retrace your steps. The downs seem even steeper than when you went up. Crazy how that is. Back at the road, with tired knees, I got back in the car and drove back into town. It was a fun hike. Maybe someday a spot with better access will open, but until then I'm glad there's a place it can be done from.

Trailhead: (42.86945, -112.35832). There is a pullout here with space for about two cars.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Head straight up the hill, staying on BLM land. Head over to the sub-peak, then up to the main summit.

Red Tape: I didn't see any signs by the road, but try to stay on public land.

Video: Coming soon!

W7I/SI-193 Chester Hill

 Right after hiking and activating Rabbit Mountain I drove across Soda Springs to the end of North Main Street. There is a dirt lot at the very end of the street in which I parked. Next to the lot is a dirt recreation trail which travels around the base of the hill. Perfect for finding a good spot to head up. 

Looking back at the parking area.

I walked a short distance down the path before heading up the hill. There was a pullout in front of a fenced area, with open water behind the fence. Behind a concrete barrier with a "No Motorized Vehicles" sign was a use path heading up. I didn't see any tracks in the snow, but decided it was a good spot to head up.

Where I left the bike path and headed up the trail.

The trail climbed up, but never at an objectionable steepness. At a fence with an open gate another trail joined, and a single trail continued up the mountain. The trail first goes to a lower false summit with a big stone cairn on top. This seems to be where most people stop, since I didn't see a well worn trail after that.

Large cairn on the false summit. Some sort of power plant belching steam or smoke in the background.

From the cairn I dropped down a short distance to a wide, brush filled col. There were tracks across the brush, either from humans or animals. But either way, it made crossing pretty easy. On the other side I started climbing up to the summit. The top is covered in an open forest. I had no problem picking my way through the trees, and I think with some careful planning you could avoid the forest altogether. 

Going up through the woods.

There was enough of a clearing at the high point to put up an antenna, but I had passed a clearing with a view a few feet lower, so I backtracked a little before setting up. There was great cell service the entire hike. On the air I did only 20m again, since it was chilly. And like on Rabbit Mountain, there was a big pileup. 

Looking down at Soda Springs. (Or should we call it SOTA Springs?)

I took the same path back to the car. Not really any good options for a loop on this hill. From the base it was about an hour drive back to Pocatello and a warm shower.

Trailhead: Dirt lot at the end of North Main Street.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the bike path around to where you want to go up the hill, then follow one of the trails to the false summit. Cross the col, and head up through the woods to the high point.

Red Tape: Not signed anywhere.

Video: Coming soon!

W7I/SI-185 Rabbit Mountain

 There are two SOTA peaks on either side of Soda Springs Idaho. This peak and Chester Hill. I drove out to these peaks for a double activation. First up was Rabbit Mountain. Following the advice of Bill N0DNF, I parked at the baseball fields in Kelly Park. At least I assume they were baseball fields, everything was covered in snow. Across the street I found a cross country trail, and started heading up. 

One of the signs. Skiing, disc golf, there was a lot going on there.

There is a small ridge that all the trails go around, to the right. I followed them around, then climbed up to the large water tank. The groomed and used section of ski trail seemed to end at the tank. After looking around a bit, I decided it would be easiest to just go straight up the hill, and that is what I did.

View from near the water tank.

The first part was through waist high grass. Where the hill got steeper, the grass ended and it was thigh high brush. Not hard to get through in the winter, but might be more of a challenge in the summer. The views did get better as I climbed towards a small wood at the top. It turns out the summit is through the woods and higher, but as you go up you can't see that.

View from the top. Low clouds the day I was there.

I was able to get through the woods without much trouble. There were a lot of deer tracks and other signs, so I just followed those where I could. Animals usually are good at finding the easiest way through. On the other side I found a road, and followed it to the towers.

I used one of the fences to hold up my pole, and got on the air. Since I didn't want to sit in the snow, I just kneeled in it. Not sure I stayed any warmer. With a big wire in the air I had a bigger pileup on 20m than I wanted, but I stayed long enough to work everyone. 

I retraced my steps back down the hill, more or less. In some places I thought I could find a shorter way down, but I don't think I saved any time. Back at the car I drove the five minutes across town to the trailhead for Chester Hill.

Trailhead: Baseball fields in Kelly Park. Near the end of Kelly Park Road.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow the cross country ski trails around the low ridge and up to the water tank. Then either go straight up the hill or follow old roads to the top.

Red Tape: Not signed anywhere.

Video: Coming soon!

W7I/SI-177 Chinese Peak

 On the east side of Pocatello, a mountain with a flat top covered in towers looks over the city. This is Chinese Peak. The peak is on BLM land, and a nice hike. I drove to the end of Barton Road and parked. In the winter the road is gated next to a small lot. I'm told in the summer you can drive all the way up. 

Looking over at the Bannock Range across the freeway

To get to the top just follow the access road. It was obvious that lots of other people use this area for hiking and fun. The snow on the road was packed down, and there were even tire tracks that went all the way up. It is about three miles and 1700 vertical feet to the top from the parking lot. 

Out of the wind and snow making contacts.

The tire tracks ended just below the summit, so the last quarter mile was a bit harder. I walked around on top looking for somewhere where I wouldn't have to sit in too much snow to set up, then spied a utility box just below the summit. I walked over and set up on it. As a bonus it was out of the gentle breeze as well. 

As I started making contacts, everyone seemed very weak. I assumed it was because I was using the short whip, but realized that it was because the attenuator was turned on. It was much easier hearing people with it off.

Hazy in the early afternoon.

I didn't hang out on top too long, since I was getting cold. I took the same road back down. It appears there are some other trails in the BLM land, and you could approach from the north rather than the west. If you're looking for a longer or possibly more scenic hike, those trails could be a good option.

Trailhead: Parking lot at the Barton Road gate.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Walk up the road to the summit.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming soon!