W6/NC-065 Cedar Mountain

While I was perusing SOTAMaps one day I noticed there was a peak deep in the Diablo Range that had been activated. I had looked at the peak previously, and thought that it would never be done, since it was deep into some private ranch land.

This is as far as the truck would go.

Paul, K6FRC had activated it twice, which made me think that he either had legal access to the summit, or really liked trespassing. I decided the former was more likely, and decided to get in touch. As luck would have it, I worked him a few weeks later while I was on a different summit, and was able to get his contact info. Paul offered to let me come along next time he went up.

Tower with FM broadcast antenna. He said it was for K-Love Radio.

Paul emailed me saying he was going up. I was free that afternoon, so I drove over to Livermore where we met up. In his truck we drove down Mines Road to the turn-off for the tower. It turns out the access road is someone's driveway for a good portion. We went through the first gate, past a house, then crossed the creek at the bottom. This is where the pavement ended.

Mt Hamilton.

The road was muddy, but the truck didn't seem to have any trouble getting up. At the second house we had to honk twice so the rancher wouldn't come chasing after us with all his guns. There were a few more gates, and since I was the passenger, I got to jump out and open and shut them all. After the last gate the road got very narrow, and snowy. We made it about halfway up this section before it got too slippery. Paul parked, and we walked the last quarter mile up to the summit.

On the air.

While got busy fixing the transmitter, I set up and started operating. I got a good pileup on 30 meters. Forty seemed dead, but I got the locals on 60. I tried sideband on 40 and 20, but only got one contact. Twenty CW got some more of the usual chasers. With a broadcast tower on top, you know its a good spot for VHF, and I got a bunch on 2m.

More of the Diablo Range.

Everything was fixed, so I packed up and we walked back to the truck. There was no place to turn around, so Paul drove about a mile down the hill in reverse before finding somewhere safe to turn. While in reverse he told me about all the times he's gotten stuck on roads like this, and the crazy things he had to do to get unstuck. Thankfully we made it back to Mines Road without any trouble.

Lots of snow on the top. Some high voltage lines too.

Trailhead: Somewhere along Mines Road :)
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Ranch Roads.
Red Tape: Completely on private land. Don't attempt without getting permission.

W6/NC-136 Three Peaks

The weather forecast was for a so-so day, but I didn't want to sit around all day so I headed out for an activation. My goal this time was Three Peaks, a remote peak at the north end of Napa Valley. The peak had never been activated before, and with a long hike I can understand why.

Trailhead.

I started at the Oat Hill Mine Trail. The trailhead is at a busy 4-way intersection in Calistoga. There is a small dirt lot, but it appears that parking is not allowed in it. Most people appear to park along the side of Lake Street, which I did to. Be careful crossing the busy highway! Thankfully there is a 4-way stop here.

Very green trail in the overcast morning.

The trail wastes no time starting to climb. In about four miles it climbs 2000' up to the ridge. The trail seems popular with hikers and runners, especially the lower sections. It was fairly wide and easy to follow. With all the rain there has been recently it was quite wet too.

Small waterfall on the side of the trail.

When the trail came around Bald Hill I was greeted with a great view of Mt St Helena, which was covered in snow to my surprise. I enjoyed the view and sun for a few minutes before continuing on. As I climbed it got colder and windier, and I stopped to put on a jacket.

Looking over the brush. Three Peaks is hidden behind other peaks for most of the hike.

After leaving the Oat Hill Mine Trail the new trail crosses into the Duff Ranch, which is owned by the Land Trust of Napa County. Helpfully they put up a sign with a number to call to get permission. There was an identical sign at the other end of the ranch property.

The phone number is (707) 252-3270

The section across the Duff Ranch and the last bit are fairly flat, hiking along the top of the rolling ridge. There were a few junctions, but for the most part there was only one trail that didn't enter private property. The trail winds around a few lesser summits. In the col between Potato Hill and High Point there is a junction with a map and more signs, these ones with distances.

Potato Hill. It started raining and snowing shortly after I took this picture.

 As I continued the last mile or so, it got much darker. As I was making the final climb up to the summit it started to rain, then snow. All three of the peaks appear to be inside the activation zone. I found a small clearing on top and got set up as quickly as I could. I had cell service, so I sent out a spot.

On the air.

I was getting wet in the rain/snow, so I made it a quick activation. I got 10 contacts on 30 meters in about as many minutes, then stopped. After packing up I started back down the trail at a brisk pace to warm back up.

Calistoga at the right.

There were scattered showers as I walked back along the ridge, mostly rain. By the time I got back to the Oat Hill Mine Trail, the clouds had cleared and it was bright and sunny. The trail was extra wet on the way down, but I made good time.

Standing in the middle of the trail.

I passed quite a few people making their way up, including two bikers. I was surprised the trail wasn't closed to bikes after so much rain, but it did seem like a well-constructed tread.

Blue skies again!

Back at the car I turned on the GPS and was able to avoid most of the wine traffic in the valley. Overall, this was a great hike in a beautiful area.

Mt St Helena poking out of the clouds.

Trailhead: Oat Hill Mine Trail, intersection of CA 29, Silverado Trail, and Lake Street. Park on Lake St., pullout at TH appears to be private parking.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Take the Oat Hill Mine Trail up to the intersection with the Palisades Trail. Turn right and follow the trail across Duff Ranch to the summit.
Red Tape: Call the Land Trust of Napa County [(707) 252-3270] to get permission to cross their properties.

View from a bench near the trailhead.