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