W6/NC-432 Fairmont Ridge

According to Peakbagger, Fairmont Ridge is the lowest SOTA-qualifying peak in the Diablo Range. This was my third activation of the hill, also called Chabot 2 Benchmark. This Saturday, Rex, KE6MT, and I had organized a meetup for SOTA participants. We met up at a restaurant in Hayward, then after eating and chatting headed out to different peaks for some activations. I was still tired from the long day on Condon Peak and Black Mountain the day before, so I decided to head up here for an easy hike.

Weidemann Hill from the trailhead.

The small parking lot was full, but there was plenty of on-street parking. It was a pleasant warm temperature for hiking, and I quickly made it up the trail. It wasn't too hazy, and I got good views to the east and south.

The poppies are still blooming. And the grass is green!

There was a bit of time before everyone else would get to their summits, so I spent some time walking around at the top, trying to see if there was a way to get to the true summit. It is well fenced, so I hiked back to the same spot I had activated the last two times. I set up my antenna using a barbed wire fence, then sent out some calls on VHF.

Calling CQ on HF.

K6EL was the first summit to summit, on Mt Davidson. I heard KE6MT calling from El Sereno, but for some reason he couldn't hear me, so no luck there. I worked AB6SO on 12m cw while he was on San Bruno Mountain. There were some contests going on, and I tried to work some PSK, but didn't have any luck there either. Eventually I put out a spot for 30 cw and worked the usual chasers.

Mt Diablo.

After spending around two hours on the summit I decided it was enough, and headed back down.

Trailhead: Fairmont Ridge Staging Area, Lake Chabot Regional Park
Website: SOTA Site. Taylor Mountain Park
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Follow the paved trail to the end. Turn right, and follow the fence, squeezing through a gap, to the row of eucalyptus trees. Set up somewhere around here.
Red Tape: None.

W6/SC-108 Black Mountain

Black Mountain is an easy peak in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. I hiked it after getting Condon Peak in the morning. The trailhead is at the Upper Sweetwater Campground and day use area. I parked across the street at the day use area, where there is space for a few cars and a pit toilet. I crossed the road and headed up the trail. There is an antenna at the summit, but the road looked like it hadn't seen a car in a long time.

The summit is visible from the parking area. The campground entrance is the open area at the bottom.

After the hike up Condon Peak, the trail felt flat. It climbs up the west side of the mountain, staying at grades that would be easy for a vehicle to travel. There are a few switchbacks.

Some ponds on the way.

There are a few ponds that the trail walks by. Some of them look like they are human created. At the first one I passed some ducks took off honking, then did the same thing when I returned. The final climb up to the summit is a bit steeper than the rest of the trail, but not difficult.

Looking North-West to Pinnacles NP. North Chalone and South Chalone center left. Hawkins Peak is the rough area on the right.

There were some views at the top, but they were better from the trail on the way up. There is only one big antenna on a pole at the top, and a smaller yagi. There is a fence running across the summit, which I used to support my pole. Again, I had decent cell service on top. I started on 30 meters, but was only able to get three contacts. I started to worry, as I've had problems getting contacts during late afternoon activations. However, after putting out a spot on 40 I quickly got three more contacts.

Stuff at the summit.

As I was setting up, I caught some movement in the corner of my eye. Turning, I saw a deer, then realized that it was not a deer, but an elk. It meandered away, then a moment later, another one followed it. I got a video of the second one.

San Benito, Santa Rita, Condon, Picachos, all somewhere in there.

It was getting cool in the breeze, so I packed up and started hiking to warm up some. The descent was quick, and I was soon on the road for the long drive back to the Bay Area.

Trailhead: Upper Sweetwater area, Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
Website: SOTA Site. Laguna Mountain Area
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Take the road up to the summit.
Red Tape: None.

Laguna Mountain on the left. I think that is Hepsedam in the back in the middle.

W6/SC-387 Condon Peak

Condon Peak is one of the high peaks in the BLM's Clear Creek area in southern San Benito County. I drove down on one of my off Fridays to hike up to the summit. On the way down, a bobcat ran across the road in front of my car. Very cool. At the Condon Peak Campground, I paid my entry fee and drove up the hill to the day use lot at the top. There is enough space here for a few cars. Walking through the gate across the road I started my hike.

Looking back at the parking area and gate.

The first half mile or so are on a wide dirt road that looks like it may be open to cars and OHVs. I left the road where there was a steep trail heading off to the left, and the road began to head downhill. There is a post here forbidding motorized travel, with some indications that it is an official trail, but I don't think it has been maintained recently.

Onto the steep section.

This trail climbs up the ridge, following a barbed wire fence that marks the border between San Benito and Fresno Counties. It is a steep climb in places, with loose dirt making the footing even more difficult. After gaining around 1000 feet, the trail peters out. This middle section was the most difficult. Initially I found good routes around the dense brush staying on the Fresno side of the fence, but eventually I had to start crossing back and forth.

Taking a breather on the way up.

Maybe someone will bring a pair of wire cutters and make the hike easier for everyone. Eventually I made it to the ridge and the going got better. After climbing over a small bump, the trail descends to another dirt road that runs along the ridge top. There were great views from here to San Benito Mountain and Santa Rita Peak, as well as to the Santa Lucia range to the west. I could see Junipero Serra Peak as well as the Sierra.

The first view of Condon Peak.

 The road doesn't go over the summit, but from the high point there is a use trail that climbs the last few feet. I found the register and added my name. It was quite windy, and chilly in the wind, so I descended a few feet to setup in some bushes on the east side of the peak.

San Benito Mountain on the left, Santa Rita is the pointy one on the right.

I was surprised to have good cell service on the summit. I sent out a spot and quickly worked a half dozen people on 30. Twenty meters got a few more contacts. I tried VHF, since I had line of sight to the southern part of the central valley, but only got one response on 70cm.

Lots of these types of formations along the crest of the ridge.

Having successfully activated the peak I packed up and retraced my steps. I was able to avoid all the dense areas again on the way down without having to backtrack much. It was great finding the trail again, even if it was very steep to descend. Back on the main road I quickly got back to the car. Since it was still early, I decided to stop and activate Black Mountain on my way home.

Trailhead: Condon Peak Campground.
Website: SOTA Site. Clear Creek Management Area
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Follow ridge (San Benito-Fresno County line) to the summit.
Red Tape: None. The hike is outside of the asbestos area, so no extra permit needed.

A mine below the summit. 

W6/NC-379 Taylor Mountain

Taylor Mountain is a low mountain that overlooks the city of Santa Rosa. The north face of the mountain is in the Taylor Mountain Regional Park which has trails that run to the summit. This was the second summit of the day, after Hood Mountain. I started at the Kawana Terrace entrance and took the East Trail, more or less, to the summit. There are trail markers, but there are also a lot of paths the cows and other people make, so following the official trail was difficult in places.

Some picturesque cows.

The eastern route is not particularly hard, with only one steep section about halfway up. It was a lovely day to be walking through the open fields with the flowers and cows. There were a lot of other people in the park enjoying themselves. Below the summit the trail goes through a wooded area before coming out into the open at the top. The actual summit is on private property and well fenced and signed. The area outside the fence, though, was very nice for operating.

Sitting amongst the poppies.

I used the fence to support my pole, and got on the air, careful not to break the antenna wires at the ends. I sent out a spot for 30, and slowly got four contacts. I tried 20 for a while, but the band was even more dead than before. Forty meters got two more contacts. As I was watching other spots, I got a summit to summit with N7LP in Arizona. I tried VHF, but only got a contact with AA0BV, who probably could have shouted from his back yard to make the contact.

Looking towards the ocean, covered in fog.

Having worked everyone, I packed up and retraced my steps back down to the car. Showering at home I discovered a tick on my knee which had started to bite. Remember to check yourself after hiking!

Trailhead: Kawana Terrace entrance.
Website: SOTA Site. Taylor Mountain Park
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Eastern Route.
Red Tape: None.

Antenna setup. I think that's Bald Mountain in the background.

W6/NC-165 Hood Mountain

Hood Mountain is the highest point on the Napa-Sonoma border. Part of this area burned during the North Bay fires last year, but the park is partially open again. The only open trailhead was at the end of Los Alamos Road, at the north end of the park. This is a narrow, windy road, with some steep sections (15% grade!) I made it to the parking lot at the end and paid my $7 fee, and set off down the trail.

Looking back up at the parking lot at the start of the trail.

The trail initially drops a few hundred feet down to a crossing of the Santa Rosa Creek. There had been a fair amout of rain in the days and weeks before I came, so there was no easy way across the creek. I ended up just walking across and hiking with wet feet the rest of the day. On the other hand, the grass is green and the flowers were blooming, so it was a very pretty hike.

Santa Rosa Creek, full of water.

On the other side of the creek the trail climbs up a number of switchbacks. They were well graded and not difficult to hike up. I walked by an outhouse unexpectedly. It turns out there are some campsites in the area that can be reserved. Walking up the fire road was pleasant, so I decided to stay on it rather than take the summit trail. The one exception was at the junction below the summit. The road dropped down some, so I took the trail to avoid extra elevation gain.

Mt St Helena dominated the view to the north.

Climbing higher it was easy to tell when I entered the section that had been burned in the fires last fall. However, there was already a lot of green, so in a few years it will be hard to tell the area ever burned. After about 90 minutes of hiking I reached the summit. There is an open area, and thanks to the fire, views to the south. I could easily see Mt Tam and Mt Diablo, and could even see Loma Prieta down south of San Jose. When I checked the view after operating it was too hazy to see south of SF.

Mt Tam on the right. Diablo out of the frame on the left.

I used a burned manzanita to support my pole, and got on the air. I discovered that my antenna is falling apart, and needs some TLC before another expedition. There was good 4G service, and I was able to spot myself. Thirty meters brought in the usual suspects. Twenty was dead, though I did manage one contact. Fourty was about as good as 30. On VHF I made a contact with KD6SOK on 220 down near the Apple campus, and a few more on 2 meters.

St Helena is the closest. The peaks to the left are in Lake County.

There was no shade on top, so I was getting quite warm. I packed up and headed down. There were a bunch of groups coming up that I passed. Seems like it is a popular area for a hike. Back at the car I drove down the hill again and over to Taylor Mountain, my second peak of the day.

Trailhead: End of Los Alamos Road.
Website: SOTA Site. Hood Mountain Park
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: I took the Hood Mountain Trail to the summit. There are a number of options, though.
Red Tape: None.

Steep climb just before the summit.