W7O/CN-050 Multorpor Mountain

 We were in Government Camp for a few days, so of course a SOTA peak or two needed to be done. We had done some hiking in the morning, so I picked an easy one for the afternoon. Multorpor Mountain is a relatively easy hike from Government Camp. 

From our room at the Huckleberry Inn, I walked down the road to the east end of town. It was a bit scary crossing the highway, but traffic was light enough I made it across with a little patience. Just east of the main road is a dirt road that heads into the forest. I didn't see any signs on the road, so I'm not sure if it has a name or number.

Along the jeep trail.

The road heads into the woods. After a turn or two there is an unmarked trail near the top of a hill. Pay attention, I nearly missed it. This trail heads up the mountain, somewhat steeply. It was a nice change from the dry, open forest I'm used to in California. All the rhododendron made me feel like I was back on the AT.

Damp trail heading up the hill.

At the summit it gets steeper as you scramble up the rock outcropping. I was surprised to have a decent view. The north side is dominated by Mt Hood, but to the south there is a nice one. I set up and sat looking south. I had cell service on the summit, and spotting was no problem. Since the weather was a bit iffy, a few showers rolled through while I was on the summit. 

Looking South.

After working the chasers, it started getting darker and cooler. I assumed some rain was coming in, so I packed up and started heading down. It didn't rain, but I was glad I didn't take the chance. 

Trailhead: Park somewhere in Government Camp.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: From Government Camp, walk up the jeep trail to the single track.

Red Tape: You probably need a pass in the winter.

Video: Coming soon!

W7O/WV-099 Cooper Mountain

 This mountain west of Portland is an easy activation. There are a few places you can activate from. The traditional spot is at the Winkelman dog park on SW175th Ave in Beaverton. But the Cooper Mountain Nature Park on SW Kemmer Road is also in the activation zone, and this is where I chose to set up. See the video linked at the bottom for a longer exploration of the actual activation zone.

Not the greatest view, but at least I was in the shade.

There was plenty of parking on the Thursday afternoon I stopped by. There wasn't much shade in the parking lot, though, so I walked a few meters down the trail to a picnic table under a tree. I wasn't in the mood for setting up HF, so I only brought my HT and did 2m. The hill is in the middle of the Portland metro area, so there were plenty of chasers. Most people were on 58, but I did get one random person on 52. There was a bit of interference from something, so I was glad to have the band pass filter with me.

Getting those QSOs.

After I had made half a dozen contacts, N7KOM took his dog up to the park, and I drove over to have an eyeball QSO. It is always nice to meet SOTA people from other areas. It was hot, and I was getting tired, so after talking a while I headed back to the city.

Trailhead: Winkelman Park or Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Both parking lots are in the AZ, so find somewhere comfortable to set up.

Red Tape: Dogs are not welcome at the nature park, and I wonder if they really want people stringing wire antennas around there. I had no issues doing VHF only.  

Video: ham_bitious YouTube

W6/SS-354 Park Ridge

 We had gone to Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks for the weekend, and before heading home decided to grab an easy SOTA peak. The choice was the nearby Park Ridge. We packed up the campsite, then drove up to the Panoramic Point parking lot. 

What a nice view.

There is a short paved trail up to the viewpoint. Definitely worth the trip up. From the viewpoint, it is a pleasant walk along the ridge. The ridge has open forest along it, and there are some nice views as you hike along. 

Another view from Panoramic Point.

Just below the high point there is an obvious hill. The trail has a switchback or two up this last climb. On top, there is more open forest. I stuck my pole in some of the bushes, and ran out the antenna. Since I was planning a quick activation, I only extended it to the 20m link. I had a little service on top, enough to put out a spot. I quickly got some contacts, including Germany.

General Grant tree, the third largest in the world!

It was a quick hike back down to the car, with another stop to enjoy the viewpoint. Back at the car we drove down the hill and made one last stop at the Grant Grove to enjoy the giant sequoias before heading back home. 

Trailhead: Panoramic Point Parking Lot.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow the paved trail to the view point, then the regular trail to the summit.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming Soon!

W7I/BC-079 Boise Peak

 Every resident of Boise has looked up at this peak at some point and wondered what the summit was like. Or at least I assume they all have, since its what I'd do. Since I had a nice rental SUV, I decided to find out. One can drive pretty close to the top if one has some clearance. The road up the hill is a continuation of 8th Street. It is paved until around the Hulls Gulch parking area, and in good shape some distance past there. As you drive up, however, the road gets rougher. I doubt a regular sedan could get very high.

View down to Boise

Around the elevation where the forest begins there is a road junction. I parked here since I wanted to get some walking in, but if you drove this far you could easily keep going. Go left at the junction, and continue up the hill. The road goes past some private homes. They don't seem very friendly.

Looking over at Shafer Butte.

Below (southwest of) the summit the road turns to the right and starts to go around the peak. I took the left fork here, then decided to follow what seemed like a trail straight up the ridge. This was a mistake. The trail started off well, going around a pit to keep the vehicles out then up to a small outcropping. On the other side, however, was very dense forest. I pushed through, and eventually got to the open forest around the summit. It wasn't very fun, and I would not recommend this route. 

Setup on the summit.

I found a nice spot at the high point in the shade to sit, and put up the antenna. There was ok service (Verizon) on top, plenty to put out some spots. Since I wasn't in a rush, I did all the bands I had. 17m was good, but the DX was all on 20m. After the pileup and Europeans, 30m and 40m seemed a bit boring.

On the way up I had seen a road a little ways below the summit, and I decided that it would be a better route down. This road is not in the activation zone. It was, except I wasn't paying attention, tripped, and got some nice cuts on my hand and legs. Back on the road I followed it around and back to the main road. This one near the summit doesn't appear on any maps. 

Nice forest on the summit.

On the main road I headed back to the car, then had the long drive back to the pavement. There were a bunch of motorcycles and dirt bikes heading up. It seems like a popular area for OHV riding. It was nice to get off the washboarded and potholed road and on the pavement. 

Trailhead: Forest Road 231 or 263, as far as you can or want to drive.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Walk up the road to near the summit, then bushwhack. See map above.

Red Tape: None.  

Video: Coming Soon!

W7I/BC-083 Hoodoo Peak

 After activating Thorn Creek Butte, I headed over to Rabbit Creek Summit. This involved driving on some pretty narrow dirt roads. I was a bit apprehensive about the drive, but it turns out the roads were in decent condition. I mostly took roads 333 to 315. The SUV I had didn't have problems, but I wouldn't have wanted to be in a sedan or other low clearance car.

Nice views on the hike.

There was plenty of parking space at the col; there was even a family camping there. On the inside of the road bend a trail climbs up the steep embankment then heads up the ridge. This is obviously frequently used by motorcycles, but I didn't see any other people when I was out. It was a pleasant walk along the ridge, mostly in the shady forest. 

There are a few false summits you have to go around before you get to the high point. I was faked out by the first one and went a little out of my way. There is not much remarkable about this summit.

Looking back at Thorn Creek Butte.

I set up and got on the air. There was cell service. The bands were not in good shape, and I struggled to get my four contacts. Luckily I got five, then packed up. I feared the drive back to ID21 would be a long struggle like the drive up to Thorn Creek Butte, and it was getting to be dinner time. I was wrong. Road 327 was a joy to drive, smooth and wide. Soon I was back at the pavement for the drive back to Boise.

Trailhead: Rabbit Creek Summit, FS road 327

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the bike trail along the ridge to the summit.

Red Tape: None.  

Video: Coming Soon!