W7I/SR-167 Kodiak Peak

I had a bit of time to kill on my way back to the airport, so I decided to run up this peak. Time was tight, but I thought I'd be able to get up and activate it in time. I parked in a large pullout on the side of route 21. From here I dropped down to the small creek and found a crossing point. I was able to jump across without getting my feet wet.

Looking up towards the summit.

The best way seemed to be to climb over a small ridge, then climb up to the summit. I was a bit short on time, so I just hiked up as fast as I could. The breeze was nice up on the ridge, but I was still pretty hot by the time I got to the summit. I took a few moments to catch my breath, took some photos, then got set up.

Fluffy storm clouds in the distance.

On the air I didn't have good luck. I only made two contacts before I had to pack up. I probably could have stayed a few extra minutes to try more, but I started hearing some lightning on 40 and decided it wasn't worth it. The run down was fast, and a few minutes after I got to the car there was a very loud thunderclap. I was very glad I made the decision to leave!

It was a very scenic area.

This is a great little peak, and I wouldn't mind heading up it again sometime in the future.

Trailhead: Large pullout on the side of route 21. There are a few to choose from.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Cross the stream, then head up the shoulder. Cross the next drainage and then continue up to the high point. Easy travel through the open terrain.
Red Tape: None.

Note the large supply of gummy bears.

W7I/CI-089 Deadline Ridge

I needed a long run, and Deadline Ridge looked like a good destination for that. I had done Deadline Ridge North a few years ago. This trip was much warmer and more pleasant than that frigid morning. I took the same route up to the ridge, but drove south a bit more. I wanted a 15mi run, so I parked far north of the summit, where Road 256 meets 541, the main road on the ridge. Depending on your car, you can drive much closer. A 4x4 or dirt bike could drive all the way to the summit.

It is a beautiful, open ridge.

A few cars passed me on the road, but after I passed the "not maintained" sign I didn't see anyone else. The road is in good shape a distance past that sign, and a sedan could likely be driven down it. It was pleasantly warm, like the end of summer usually is. There was a nice breeze to keep me cool as well.

One of the false summits on the way.

There were a number of false summits along the way, and some of them had me convinced I was almost there. There were one or two steep climbs, but nothing difficult to do on foot. At the base of the actual summit I could see there was a fence just past it. I went there first to do radio, then tagged the summit on the way back.

Finally, the real summit.

I used the fence to hold the pole and was on the air. I had good cell service, and had no trouble getting contacts. I didn't spend too long on top since I had a long way back, and had to be back in town to work in the evening.

Heading back.

I took the same route back, and saw even fewer cars than on the way out. I wasn't surprised, it was getting late on a Sunday afternoon. At the car I drove back down the hill and into Twin Falls for a shower and some dinner. I realized later that evening that I should have put some sunscreen on my legs. They got a bit burnt.

Trailhead: As far along Road 541 as you can drive.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Follow Road 541 south. Despite what the USFS map says, the road goes all the way to the summit.
Red Tape: None.

So beautiful.

W7I/BC-070 Mores Mountain

After coming down from Shafer Butte I continued across the parking lot to the nature trails that lead up to the top of Mores Mountain. I didn't have a map and the USFS maps don't show any trails, so I was pleasantly surprised to find some trails on the mountain.

The sun had come out, and the trail was excellent.

Since I didn't have a map, I was guessing the best way to go at each intersection. Luckily my forest sense is good enough that I made it to the top without having to backtrack. The trails were in excellent shape, lined with logs in most places. It was great having them, since the forest seemed a bit dense for easy bushwhacking.

Rocky areas on the west side, on the way up to the peak.

I was a bit worried I had chosen a bad trail since it seemed to be avoiding the summit. but eventually it turned up and went right to it. I signed the log, then set up my antenna.

Open meadow just below the summit.

I had good service and good views as I operated. This area of Idaho is beautiful, and I could have spent days exploring the mountains, but I had to get to Twin Falls for work. So I packed up and headed back. The trail seemed to be a loop, so I continued around on it.

Looking back at Shafer Butte.

After a little while I recognized a meadow I had passed on the way up, so took a trail across it then back down to the car. The drive down the mountain was nice, then the long drive on the freeway to Twin Falls.

Trailhead: Shafer Butte Campground and Picnic Area
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map. USFS map
Route: Take the nature trail.
Red Tape: None.

That point might be higher, but both are in the AZ.

W7I/BC-064 Shafer Butte

I was in Idaho for work for a week, and decided to take advantage of some down time to get some peaks. First up was Shafer Butte and Mores Mountain. After arriving at the airport I got my car and drove up into the hills. The road is paved until you get to the ski area, where it is a good dirt road. Since I wanted to get both peaks I started at the Shafer Butte Campground and Picnic Area. Google was able to get me there with no issues.

First view on the way up.

After paying the $5 fee and changing into my running clothes I headed up the road to Shafer. The trails appear to be ski trails in the winter, or access roads, so they are wide and easy to follow. There is also a large network of them on the side of the mountain, but going up was always a safe bet.

There was some forest on the peak, but lots of vistas.

I was feeling good, and made good time up to the summit. It wasn't high enough for me to notice any altitude effects. There were some construction working near the summit, so I stayed out of their way. After tagging the high point, I went down a bit to some trees where I set up. I had good service on top and was soon on the air.

Closed fire lookout on top.

There was no trouble getting contacts despite the mid-week activation. It was a bit chilly, but the long-sleeved shirt and windbreaker were enough to keep me warm. After I worked everyone I packed up and headed down. It was a quick run back to the start. I took nearly the same path, but missed a turn and did one long switchback instead of a few short ones.

Mores Mountain, my next destination.

Instead of stopping at the bottom, I continued immediately up the trail to Mores Mountain.

Trailhead: Shafer Butter Campground and Picnic Area. There are lots of trails on the mountain, and lots of other possible trailheads.
Website: SOTA Site.
Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.
Route: Go through the group area, then follow the trails to the summit. None were marked with names/signs, so a map is necessary.
Red Tape: None.

Mountain Goat Peak!

After my long weekend in the Sierra, I was at 999 points, one away from Mountain Goat. I had talked with Rex, KE6MT, and he said he'd let me use his high power setup for my MG summit. He had some family events that weekend, but I was able to go over to borrow the gear. From his backyard we were able to work a little DX before packing it up.

A fair bit of color still.

I chose Maguire Peaks for my summit. This is one of my favorites, in the Sunol Regional Wilderness. I got there a few minutes after the gate opened, and got my pass for Welch Creek Road. There was no one at the trailhead yet. It was overcast, which was sad, but at the same time meant the temperature would be a lot more pleasant.

Peak on the left.

I took the same route I did every other time I visited, slowed by the enormous amount of radio stuff I was carrying. On the summit I set up the full sized 20-40 linked dipole and Rex's 891 and got on the air. I soon had a decent pileup, and worked everyone. Having power was fun. I did high power CW and SSB on 20 and 40. Next I put up my end fed and 2m EDZ, and worked the VHF and other HF bands.

So much stuff on the summit.

The sun never came out, so I never got too hot. It was perfect for sitting and operating. The solar panel was dead weight though. After I had worked everyone I packed up and headed back. The backpack was still heavy but I was in a good mood so I didn't mind. Back at the car I headed home, happy to finally be a mountain goat.