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

W6/WH-009 Mexican Mine Peak

This peak was the final White Mountain peak we did on our peakbagging weekend. It is probably the easiest to get to, as there is a paved road to the trailhead. After driving so long on dirt roads, the pavement was a very welcome change. We parked at a large pullout just south of the turnoff for the visitors center. After re-inflating the tires, we grabbed our bags and headed up the trail.

Old mine building and tailings pile.

The trail was pretty flat, and well maintained. At the first old mine building we turned left and went straight up the hill. It felt like a slog. It was closer to noon, and we were lower, so it was hotter. Even so, it didn't take too long to get up. Going this way you will cross the trail, so it is possible to get much higher before stepping off.

I assume this is Mexican Mine, which the peak is named after.

We didn't want to take too long on the summit, so we set up two stations. I started on 2m, but didn't get many contacts. Luckily HF was open and we all made enough contacts. It was pretty warm in the sun, so the bristlecone pines were providing welcome shade. 

Great view of White Mountain Peak framed by Piute and Sheep.

My vote was to go straight down, but everyone else wanted to take the trail back, so we took the trail. In the end, I was glad I did since there were some interesting ruins and mines to see, and a few informational boards. I can't imagine being a miner in this area.

History of the peak.

Back at the car we put on some clean clothes then headed down the hill to Bishop to meet up with Jamie N6JFD for lunch. It was great to see him again, as it had been a few years. We then stocked up on cookies, then hit the road for the long drive back to the Bay Area. We didn't make it very far, however, before deciding a quick drive up to Dry Creek Knoll was in order.

Trailhead: Visitor center, or pullout just south.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the trail to the ruin west of the summit, then go straight up. Or take the trail to the col north of the summit, then go cross country.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming Soon!

W6/WH-004 Campito Mountain

 A few miles down the road from the Sheep Mountain trailhead is the Campito Mountain trailhead. The best place to park is at the col to the northeast of the summit. There is a pullout so you can get off the road. From here, the hike is pretty straightforward.

Looking at the summit from the car.

From the col, there is a cliff which blocks the view of the high point, and to the left a dead tree on the ridge. Start walking towards the tree. It was not a hard walk, especially before the small grove of trees. 

Talus on the way up.

Higher up the slopes there is a lot of talus and some scree. It was pretty easy to avoid the scree which made the hike up a lot more pleasant. If you want a spicier hike, aim for the cliff. It is some class three excitement, but is completely bypassable. On the summit we set up and did our usual thing. The cell service  was good enough to send out some spots.

Looking at County Line Peak and Blanco.

On the way down the scree that was so carefully avoided was gleefully followed. It made it much quicker. Overall, this was a fairly easy summit, and I'd do it again.

Trailhead: White Mountain Road, col to the north east of the peak.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Walk straight up the hill to the summit.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming Soon!

W6/ND-378 Sheep Mountain

Our second night in the Whites was a lot nicer than the first. The weather in the afternoon and evening was sunny, and there was no rain. From our campsite at the trailhead we had excellent views of the area. We could see White Mountain Peak, the bristlecone pine forest was below us, and the lower peaks were spread out to the south.

Sunrise over the trailhead.

We woke up early again, and started up the hill at dawn. It was chilly, but not too windy. On the way up we just went straight up the hill to the top of the summit by the road. From there it was obvious we could just walk along the wide ridge connecting the two peaks. 

Looking at the summit.

It was a quick walk. The talus was large and easy to traverse, and we were fresh from a good night's sleep. As we got to the summit we were treated to the sun rising on the Sierra across the valley. We could even see the giant triangular shadow of our mountain. It was worth the early start.

Sierra Sunrise

We put up the antenna and got on the air. There was cell service, and good views to Bishop. We did HF and VHF, getting contacts on all the bands we tried. Once we were done, Rex and Saurabh went down the hill, and chased me on 2m CW. Always fun to get weak signal VHF contacts, and doubly fun with the Quansheng.

Looking back at the subpeak.

On the way back we decided to go around the left (north) side of the peak we had gone over on the way up. This saved us some climbing. It was a good route, that side of the hill is not very steep, at least at the elevation of the col. The final descent was steep, but there was no way to avoid that. 

 Trailhead: White Mountain Road, east of the summit. There is a large pullout marked with some rocks here.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Go up towards the sub-peak, then sidehill around the north side to the col. Straight up from there.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming Soon!