W6/SC-215 Panoche Hills High Point

 After activating Peak 2389 with Rex KE6MT and Dan AI6XG, we got back in the car and drove along road P1 to where it intersects with P11. If you're in a sedan, this is where you'll have to park. With some clearance and 4WD you can get closer by driving up P11. In the Pilot, we could get closer. After carefully negotiating a large berm at the intersection, we drove up to the sub-peak.

At the sub-peak, about to hike over.

At the sub-peak, the spur to the summit gets quite rough. We were so close, it wasn't worth trying to drive farther. Since it was such a short hike, we brought Rex's Yaesu 891 so we could run QRO. After putting up the linked dipole we were on the air

Checking out the seismograph station on the top.

Like on the other peak, we each did one band. I started on 2m FM, and got a few contacts in with the Yagi. Later, I did 40CW, which seemed to be the money band. Lots of QSOs for me! Cell service was pretty bad. I didn't find a spot with it, but Rex found enough to send a spot for some sideband. Dan just used his inreach to spot. 

Looking out to the central valley.

This area is used by a lot of shooters, and their fire was a constant background noise to the activation. Not a very wilderness feel. After packing up we headed down the road back to the pavement. As we were driving, we noticed a structure with lots of aluminum. As we got close we could see it was an array of Yagis. We pulled over, and it turns out it was another ham setting up his 6m EME array. We were all thoroughly impressed. After wishing him luck, we drove down to the entrance, where we bid farewell until next time.

6m EME (moon bounce) array being set up. Note Petr in the center for scale.

Trailhead: Intersection of P1 and P11. Drive up P11 if you can.
Website: SOTA Site. BLM Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Walk up the road to the top.
Red Tape: The area is closed to vehicle access from mid-April to mid-October, but you could still walk or bike up. Call the BLM for the most up to date info.