W7N/TR-027 Captain Pomin Rock

 If you at Tahoe in the winter do you go skiing? No, of course not. It is the perfect season to go get some SOTA activating in. After leaving very early and driving up from the Bay Area, we stopped in town to pick up some snowshoes. It was then a few more minutes around the lake to the trailhead.

First steps in snowshoes!

We started at Spooner Summit snow park, at the intersection of US 50 and NV 28. There was a decent size parking lot, and a nice hill for sledding. It was Naina's first time snowshoeing, so after we got them on we took an easy walk along the road until we found the track to the summit. There were a few sets of footprints to follow.

Heading up the hill.

 

The forest was open, and the hill wasn't too steep. It was windy, but we were on the lee side of the hill. Ideal conditions for winter hiking. It took a few minutes to re-acquaint myself with snowshoe walking, but we were soon making good time up the hill. The trail climbs up to a relatively flat area, which it crosses, then has a final climb up to the summit.

Summit photo.

The very final climb was quite steep, and it wasn't obvious which way was best to the top. I followed some other tracks and was able to get up without needing to take off the snowshoes. That was probably the only part of the hike that would have been easier in the summer. 

As we suspected, the wind was really blowing on top, so after a few pictures we retreated into the forest for a quick activation. Thankfully there were enough chasers I could get enough contacts before we got cold.

Hard to get tired of lake views.

 

One the way down we decided to take a shortcut, and go straight back to the car from the flat area. This was easy, since any brush was well buried under the snow and we were going down hill. Summer hikers might make a different choice. Back at the car, the parking lot had filled to capacity with sledders, who we watched while eating lunch. 

Enjoying the view from South Lake Tahoe.

Trailhead: Spooner Summit snow play area.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Winter: just go straight up to the summit.

Red Tape: None.

Video: ham_bitious YouTube

W7N/CK-115 Black Mountain

 We were in Las Vegas for Christmas, so I decided to do an early morning activation. This peak seemed like a good choice, with a parking area and trails to the summit. I started before dawn so I could be back in time for the day's other activities. From the parking area, the trail is paved until you reach a small dam. I went around the small reservoir, which was empty, and made my way to the Sloan 404 Trail. 

Black Mountain before sunrise.

This connects to the north trail that goes up Black Mountain. It was steep and rocky, but I made good time as dawn came. There are some sections that are steep, but nothing crazy. At the top it turns into some class 2 scrambling. The sun had come up at this point, and I was glad it had. It would have been difficult to get through the ridge walk in the dark. I did manage to trip on a rock and cut my leg pretty good, but other than that it was just really windy.

Almost at the summit.

 

Once I made it over to the summit, I quickly found a place out of the wind and got my radio set up. It was cold, and I didn't want to stay any longer than I needed to. Thankfully there were enough people awake on Christmas for me to get four contacts pretty quickly. I packed up and headed down.

Trying to stay warm in the wind.

To go down, I made it a loop and took the main Black Mountain trail. This is quite steep at the top, but after that relatively short section it is very runnable with lots of switchbacks. It was warmer out of the wind, but I was on the shady side of the mountain so it took a while before I warmed up again. Back at the car it had turned into a beautiful day, and I drove back to the hotel to get ready for the day's adventures.

Looking back at the peak.

Trailhead: Parking area on Shadow Canyon Drive

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the Black Mountain Trail and/or the Black Mountain North Trail to the summit and back.

Red Tape: None.

Video: ham_bitious YouTube

W6/SD-267 Copper Mountain

 It was our last day in Joshua Tree, and I wanted to get another summit before leaving. This peak, between Joshua Tree and Twenty-nine Palms, fit the bill. Copper Mountain has some towers on top, and therefore a dirt road leading to the summit. I parked in the flat area, near the intersection of Mantonya Road Siesta Drive. Siesta continues up to the summit.

Dawn in the desert

It was just about dawn as I started up the road, and I was slowed by the constant need to turn around to enjoy the sunrise. The road was in pretty good shape, and I could have driven my sedan farther up. But that was hard to tell in the dark, so I just walked a bit extra. Siesta Dr goes up a canyon for a ways, then onto the side of the hill. On the steeper sections the road was quite rutted, and high clearance would be necessary to drive up.

Heading up the canyon

As I got onto the summit, the sun came over the horizon. It was great watching the light change on the far away mountains and the desert floor. It seems like the natural summit of the mountain has been flattened, as there was a very large area on top near the towers. I set up on the edge of this, away from the towers. Since it was sunrise, I was hoping to get some European stations in the log, but the bands must not have been open. Either way, I made plenty of QSOs as I enjoyed the sunrise.

KH1 on the summit.

Before heading down I tagged the other summit, with more towers, just to be sure I had touched the high point. I then took the same road back down to the car, a quick jog. From there is was a few minute drive back to the hotel and breakfast.

Not only are desert sunsets nice, but the sunrises too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trailhead: As far up Siesta Dr as you're willing to drive

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow Siesta Drive up the canyon to the top.

Red Tape: None

Video: ham_bitious YouTube

Desert art near the town of Joshua Tree. This one is call "Transmission"

W6/SD-166 Bartlett Mountains High Point

 We had driven down to Joshua Tree for a few days in the area. There was some time before we had to head into the park to catch the sunset, so I decided to go for a quick activation. This peak was only a few minutes away from the hotel and was a short hike. 

Looking over at the summit.

I drove up Yucca Mesa Road, then turned east onto Sun Mesa Drive. I was hoping to be able to drive to the end, but there was a sign indicating the road was private past Alta Ave. So I turned around and parked near that intersection. The shortest way to the top would be up Sun Mesa, but I didn't want to go up that road. So I headed one block south to Sun Oro Road and went down that way. The road goes past a few houses, then ends at a turn-around. It looks like the area is popular, since there was trash and a fire pit at the end. 

Its pointy-er from this direction

There isn't a trail from the end of the road, but it was easy to find my way up to the top of the ridge in front of me. On the crest of this ridge is a jeep trail, which heads towards the now visible summit. After a short distance it turns into single track, then starts getting harder to follow. On the way up I lost the trail for a while, but came across it again after a short time. 

Joshua trees along the road.

There are some switchbacks on the way up, and before you know it, you're at the summit. The highest point is on the far side of the ridge, so I went over there to set up. I wanted a quick activation, so I just used the KH1 and whip. Sadly, there was loud noise on all the bands I checked. I'm not sure where it was coming from, since there isn't anything on the summit. Maybe a nearby solar array or something. Either way, I was able to make my four contacts.

Desert sunsets are the best.

Heading down I was able to follow the trail better back to the jeep road. Back on the road it was a quick walk back to the car and to the hotel. I picked up my wife, and we found a nice spot inside the park to watch the sun set. Joshua Tree is a great place for sunsets.

Such a beautiful park.

 

Trailhead: Intersection of Sun Mesa Dr and Alta Ave.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow Sun Oro Rd to the end, then cross country to the trail that leads to the summit.

Red Tape: None. Watch out for road closed signs.

Video: ham_bitious YouTube

VE6/HC-034 Stoney Woman Mountain

 After our trip to Asheville had to be cancelled at the last minute (Thanks Helene!), we booked tickets to Calgary for a trip to Banff National Park. After a few days of focusing on foliage, looking at lakes, and seeing the sights, we had some time for SOTA. I chose this peak, since it was a relatively easy hike, and easy to get to the trailhead. It had snowed on the higher peaks the night before, so I didn't want to get too high.

On the hike.

Across the highway from the town of Banff, we drove up the switchbacks to the Mount Norquay ski area. I parked at the first, lowest lot. Across the road is the trailhead. The trail is well worn, and  was easy to follow. The one spot where there is a sharp turn there were two signs to make sure you went the right way. 

Enjoying the cool Banff weather.

It had been rainy and foggy earlier in the day, so all the exposed roots were slick. Or maybe my boots were just too worn down. Either way, I made it to a semi-open area just below the summit. From the trail I could get glimpses of Banff down below. I stepped off trail to tag the high point, and set up on a sunny slope looking down at the town. 

The best view of town I got.

 

There were some geomagnetic storms that day, so propagation wasn't very good. I did make enough contacts though, and it gave hope for some good aurora later that evening. The cell service on top was good. 

Very neat seeing the aurora.

The hike back down was quick, until I slipped on a root. That was a bit unpleasant and forced me to slow down a bit. Back at the car we headed back to our hotel then out for dinner. After eating, we wandered around Canmore until it got dark, and that's when the aurora started. Never having seen it before, it was spectacular, and we were not in a particularly dark area. Definitely picked a good week to visit Canada!

More Aurora.

 

Trailhead: Bottom of the Mt Norquay ski area parking.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the trail up to the summit.

Red Tape: None. There are some great views of town at the last switchback on the way up.

Video: ham_bitious YouTube