W0C/SR-031 (James Peak)
4044 m / 13294 ft
First Activation
August 15, 2013
Second Activation
August 02, 2014
By KX0R
James Peak is a prominent SOTA peak on the Continental Divide west of Boulder. There are several popular routes up to the summit. No regular roads are close to the summit, and all the trails require significant effort.
Bancroft, Parry and James from Dakota Hill 6-1-2014
James from Dakota Hill 9-19-2013
The primary trail up the east side of James starts near Saint Mary’s Glacier above Alice. To get to Alice, take the Fall River Road 275 north of I-70 – this paved road begins about 2 miles west of Idaho Spings, north off I-70, at mile 238.
Another way to start the hike is via the Rollins Pass road west of Rollinsville. Just west of Tolland, Mammoth Gulch Road 4-N heads steeply up southwest, and one fork eventually climbs the long northeast ridge of James. At the first road divide, take the east fork – don’t go into Mammouth Gulch. In a 4WD vehicle it is possible to drive up this rough road to about 11,400 feet, within about 3 miles of the summit.
Note that Google Maps does not show this jeep road accurately – use the satellite image. Take a good topo map up this mountain! Hike either on the road or across the vast tundra, and continue up the east ridge of James. Eventually this route meets the trail up from Saint Mary’s Glacier. Continue up the gentle southeast side of James, up a few switchbacks, and climb to the pleasant peak.
James Peak East Slopes
KX0R Hiking up James Peak
Rose Fuller on East Slopes of James
The alpine summit has enough room to activate east of the summit if there are other visitors. The views are fine in all directions, and this is an almost perfect radio site for UHF, VHF, and HF.
KX0R First Activation of James Peak
View North along Divide from James
East Side of James Peak and Mammoth Gulch
KX0R Dipole on James Peak Summit
It is possible to combine James with Parry Peak for a rugged dual activation. Hike south from James along the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), descend the deep, rocky saddle to 12,600 feet west of Ice Lake, and climb up the moderately steep north ridge of Mount Bancroft. Hike west along the ridge about a mile and ascend up to Parry Peak. See the report on Parry Peak for the rest of the story.
Bancroft and Parry from James Peak
Ice Lake, Rose, Bancroft-James Saddle, and Parry Peak Behind
Mount Bancroft from James Peak
There is a long but interesting route up James from the Moffat Tunnel access to the James Peak Wilderness. Hike about 5 miles up to Rogers Pass Lake. Climb up past Heart Lake, and then hike up the switch-backed trail to Rogers Pass. Continue south along the Divide (CDT) about 1-1/2 miles, and up the broad north side of James to the top. This scenic route requires time and effort, but it goes through some of the best scenery in the area, and an ordinary car can drive to the trailhead at the East Portal of the Moffat Tunnel.
It is also possible to drive over Berthoud Pass to Winter Park, then up a dirt road, FR-128 and FR-149, route 80, up toward the west side of Corona Pass/Rollins Pass, and then climb James via the Rogers Pass jeep road and the CDT along the Divide. A 4WD high-clearance vehicle is required to drive up to Rogers Pass – otherwise hike up the 4WD road from the Corona Pass road.
James Peak is a classic alpine SOTA peak during the summer and early fall. Get an early start, travel light, and enjoy SOTA at altitude!
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/SR-024
Wilcox Mount
4079 m / 13408 ft
July 19, 2014
First Activation
By KX0R
Wilcox Mount, or Mount Wilcox (click this link!) on our maps, is Argentine Peak’s little sister. Wilcox is a summit about 1.2 miles east of the summit of Argentine, on a beautiful high ridge that extends for miles.
Argentine Peak and Mount Wilcox from Silver Dollar Lake Trail
Argentine Peak and East Ridge out to Mount WIlcox
View West from Mount Wilcox to Argentine Peak
Both mountains are high alpine SOTA peaks near Guanella Pass Pass. Most SOTA activators will probably climb Argentine Peak first, and then perhaps climb Wilcox for a dual activation, if conditions are favorable.
Please read the trip report on Argentine Peak for trailhead directions and how to climb Argentine. From Argentine it’s simple to drop down the moderate East Ridge, walk across the easy saddle, and then ascend about 500 vertical feet on the West Ridge to the summit of Wilcox.
To climb Wilcox by itself, or before climbing Argentine, hike to Murray Reservoir, climb up the tundra slopes to the Argentine-Wilcox saddle, and then climb the West Ridge of Wilcox. After Murray Reservoir, there is no real trail, and you must navigate and choose a good route.
Wilcox has a broad alpine summit, and in good weather, it’s easy to activate on HF with a pole. At only 100 meters below Argentine, it’s also a high peak. The north, east and south slopes of Wilcox are huge meadows. These meadows extend down over 2000 vertical feet to Naylor Lake.
First Activation of Mount Wilcox
To descend Wilcox, choose between:
1) The West Ridge Route, then down the slopes to Murray Reservoir, and then up a short distance to the Silver Dollar Lake Trail
2) Descend the easy meadows from the summit, first east, and then south, to minimize the grade and to avoid steep slopes directly south of the peak. Do not descend to the private property around Naylor Lake! Between 12,400 and 12,200 feet curve west, and then cross the large creek in the valley, just below 12,000 feet. This was not a problem when I was there in mid-July, but it might be a serious hazard early in the summer! Head to Murray Reservoir or up the easy ridge just east of Murray, and join the Silver Dollar Trail on the ridge-top.
Stay away from Naylor Lake – it is private and uninvited hikers are not welcome! (That’s what I read on the Internet…)
The alpine wilderness basin between Wilcox, Argentine, and Square Top is a beautiful place, with lakes, streams, and flowers. There are far fewer hikers than on Bierstadt and Square Top nearby. This is a special place to visit.
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Indian Paintbrush on Mount Wilcox
Argentine Peak from Wilcox
Route of Argentine Peak Hike from Wilcox
Columbine on Mount Wilcox
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/SR-019
Argentine Peak
4179 m / 13738 ft
July 19, 2014
By KX0R
Argentine Peak is a high alpine SOTA peak on the Continental Divide northwest of Guanella Pass. The Peak is close to the Denver area, but a significant hike is required to reach the top. The air is thin, and there is no marked trail part of the way. Awesome views and a fine experience are yours if you activate Argentine on a nice day!
Argentine Peak from Wilcox
Drive up I-70 and exit at Georgetown. Drive through town and follow the signs to Guanella Pass. Drive up the steep, scenic paved highway to Guanella Pass campground at 10,800 feet. Look for a dirt road heading west – Naylor Lake Road. You may be able to drive up this rough 2WD road, depending on your vehicle. Drive or hike up the road about 0.7 miles to the Silver Dollar Lake trailhead at 11,200 feet altitude – there is limited parking. The remainder of the road to Naylor Lake is private.
The path continues up about ½ mile to Murray Reservoir at 12,150 feet. Before descending to Murray Reservoir, leave the trail at the ridge-top, and head WSW across the tundra. Climb to the 13,000-foot saddle between Square Top Mountain and Argentine Peak.
Silver Dollar Lake, Murray Reservoir, and Saddle from Wilcox
Continue climbing NNW along the moderate ridge; some power lines cross the route partway up. The hike is gentle and pleasant close to the top of Argentine.
Argentine Peak from South Saddle
There is a post marking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) near the summit. The dramatic view of twin 14-ers Grays and Torreys Peaks a few miles to the NW is stunning. 14-ers Mount Evans and Bierstadt stand high to the east. As long as there are no thunderstorms or strong winds, this is spectacular place to set up a pole and activate!
Summit of Argentine Peak with Grays and Torreys Peaks
Square Top Mountain from Mount Wilcox
Grays and Torreys 14-ers from Argentine Peak
Mount Evans, Bierstadt, Guanella Pass from Argentine Peak
Argentine Peak View West
The site is ideal for HF, and it looks OK for VHF/UHF also. I heard no noise from the power lines down the ridge. It was nice to have such a large area of alpine paradise all to myself for so many hours. Argentine Peak is also accessible from Argentine Pass to the north, so you may see people up there.
Argentine Activation 1
Argentine Peak Activation Rig
Argentine Activation 2
It is possible to activate other summits along with Argentine. The day I was there I had good weather, so I went down the east ridge of Argentine to the saddle and then climbed and activated Mount Wilcox – please see the report on W0C/PR-024.
Argentine Peak and East Ridge out to Mount WIlcox
Another alternative is to climb the NW ridge of Square Top W0C/PR-018 from the saddle – there is a path up through the rocks on the ridge – that route is easier than it looks from below.
Square Top and Saddle from Wilcox
Please be careful with respect to the weather up there. Lightning is an obvious danger, but cold, windy, and wet weather are serious hazards as well.
I’ll still remember Argentine as paradise…
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/PR-036
Kelso Mountain
4004 m / 13164 ft
July 13, 2014
First Activation
By KX0R
Kelso Mountain is a minor summit adjacent to the mighty twin 14-ers Grays and Torreys Peaks. I was surprised how much fun it was to activate Kelso!
Grays and Torreys from Kelso
To reach the trailhead, drive west of Denver on I-70, and exit at mile 221. Drive south and start up the rough Stevens Gulch Road 321. The condition of this road has deteriorated in recent years, and it may not be passable in cars. When I drove my old VW bug up in July 2014, the road was badly in need of repair at about 10,400 feet – I barely made it through a large hole in a steep eroded section. Inquire before going too far. This is a good place to avoid on a busy weekend. If you can get to the trailhead one way or another, a wonderful hike is possible.
Leave the Stevens Gulch Trailhead at 11,300 feet, cross the creek on a bridge and head up the trail to the southwest. After less than 2 miles, the trail approaches the saddle between Kelso and Torreys, to the north. About ¼ mile before the saddle, at a creek-crossing at 12,200 feet, leave the trail and hike north up the south ridge of Kelso. This is a beautiful alpine meadow filled with flowers – step carefully.
Alpine Sunflowers on Kelso Mountain
The remaining hike up to Kelso is about a mile and almost 1000 vertical feet. It starts steep and then gets easy toward the top of the ridge.
Kelso South Ridge
Kelso Summit
Kelso Summit Cairn
Torreys Peak from Kelso
The summit has a large activation zone with plenty of room to set up and activate. It is ideal for HF, but take a pole.
First Activation of Kelso
Kelso Activation Gear
This may not be a good VHF/UHF summit – other mountains partially block the path to the east. This area seems to breed storms, so get up there early, and don’t take a chance with dark clouds.
While it is possible to descend Kelso via a different route than the south ridge used for the ascent, those other routes are really steep.
With the many flowers and spectacular views of Grays and Torreys Peaks, on a nice summer day, Kelso Mountain is a SOTA Classic!
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Flowers on South Ridge of Kelso
Columbines along the Trail below Kelso
Penstemons along the Trail near Kelso
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/PR-095
10854
3302 m / 10854 ft
Sep 1, 2014
First Activation
by KX0R
Summits 10854 and nearby 10626 can be combined for an easy 12-point day. The SOTA and Google maps are OK for these two peaks.
To access these summits, drive to Tabernash south of Winter Park via US Highway 40. Just south of Tabernash, turn right, north, and follow marked route 84 (USFS 129) up a canyon several miles to Meadow Creek Reservoir. This area is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area, and a fee may be required for entry and parking. There is a convenient kiosk before the dirt road climbs all the way to the reservoir.
Meadow Creek Reservoir offers fishing, dispersed camping, and access to the west side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It’s a nice place.
10626 Meadow Creek Lake
To reach the trailhead for 10854, drive around Meadow Creek Reservoir, head south around the east side, and continue to the southwest on winding FR 129. This road is bumpy, but not steep, and it’s passable in most cars.
10854 Forest Road and Mount Neva
Roughly 2-1/2 miles from the Reservoir, the road reaches 10,500 feet on the east side of the summit ridge of 10854. The mountain has a long north-south ridge, and there are several ways up. FS-129 does not go up across the ridge, but it winds around the north side of the mountain. Park at an un-signed gated jeep road on the east side of the mountain, on the west side of the road; this road leads directly up to the ridge. If you continue on FS 129, you will end up farther from the summit, so park at the gate and consider that the trailhead.
10854 Trailhead
Hike up the closed road to the ridge and head south on a path through open forest and meadows. You can continue on the jeep road if you wish, but leave the jeep road and hike along the ridge-top when the road veers slightly down and right. It’s about half a mile south along the ridge to the actual peak – a good game trail is available. Pass a couple of false summits before the real peak, which is a distinctive rocky knob in the woods.
10854 Summit Rock
The summit has a pile of rocks with a jar and paper for signatures. The total hike is about a mile, with about 350 feet of vertical gain.
10854 Signs of Elk
10854 First Activation near Summit
10854 Inverted-L Antenna
10854 Activation Gear
The heavily-forested activation zone is large, so it’s not necessary to operate near the summit. There are many trees, so a pole is not required, if you can erect an antenna in a tree. There are campsites on the ridge, although it looks like a dangerous site if lightning threatens. This peak is one of the easiest 6-point summits in Colorado, and it’s a pleasant place to activate on a good day!
A camping/fishing trip at Meadow Creek Lake could be combined with the dual activation of 10626 and 10854 for a nice 2-day outing. Other SOTA peaks are located within easy driving range.
See W0C/PR-104 (10626) for the other half of this dual activation.
73
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/PR-104
10626
3232 m / 10626 ft
Sep 1, 2014
First Activation
by KX0R
Summits 10626 and nearby 10854 can be combined for an easy 12-point day. 10626 is a little more work, but not bad – old forest trails and game trails go up about 600 vertical feet to a pleasant forested summit covered with kinnikinnick plants with edible berries! The SOTA-Google maps are OK for these two peaks.
10626 Summit
To access these summits, drive to Tabernash south of Winter Park via US Highway 40. Just south of Tabernash, turn right, north, and follow marked route 84 (USFS 129) up a canyon several miles to Meadow Creek Reservoir. This area is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area, and a fee may be required for entry and parking. There is a convenient kiosk before the dirt road climbs all the way to the reservoir.
Meadow Creek Reservoir offers fishing, dispersed camping, and access to the west side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It’s a nice place.
10626 Meadow Creek Lake
To climb 10626, park off the road just north of the lake outlet area . There is no marked trail up 10626, but you can see the broad, simple mountain. Head west to the hill and go up the southeast side. The route is a bit steep at first, but it gets easier as you gain altitude – there are useful game trails. Avoid the steep south, east, and northeast sides. There is a nice viewpoint up high near the east side, above some rocks and cliffs.
10626 View to the Northeast
Continue on up to the broad summit, and set up in the large, flat, forested activation zone.
10626 First Activation
There is a pile of rocks with a jar for signatures at the summit. There are nice trees for antennas – no antenna pole is needed – bring a tool to get a line up high. You will feel like you’re deep in the wilderness on this pleasant summit. It’s probably not a good VHF/UHF site because it’s west of the Divide, but signals surely will reach the towns to the west. On HF it’s as good as most any summit, and the noise level is low; the horizon is not blocked much in most directions.
10626 Activation Gear
I think you’ll find this a pleasant activation if you’re there on a good day!
See W0C/PR-095 (10854) for the report on other half of this dual activation.
73,
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/SR-040
Vasquez Peak
3938 m / 12947 ft
First Activation Aug 9, 2014
By KX0R
My first activation of Vasquez Peak was a high country adventure. The surrounding Vasquez Peak Wilderness is named for this high, prominent summit. While there is no marked trail to the mountain, the climb is not difficult.
Start by driving up I-70 west of Denver. Take the exit toward Berthoud Pass, and follow Route 40 about 6-1/2 miles up past Empire. Right before the big switchback curve below the Pass, there is a sign for the Henderson Mine – turn left on Road 202, which heads up toward Jones Pass. Drive about 1.7 miles west on 202, pass the huge Henderson Mine facility on your left, and take the right fork where the road splits off towards Jones Pass. After about half a mile, look for a trail sign marking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) access on the right of the dirt road. Park nearby and head up the trail.
This well-built trail starts at about 10,400 feet elevation and climbs up the forested slope with several switchbacks. At about 11,300 feet the trail comes to a junction with the CDT, near where a creek comes down. Head east (right) on the CDT, cross the creek, and continue east about 500 feet or more. Head north up the obvious ridge that rises northeast of the creek. There are hints of a trail up this ridge. At about 12,000 feet, head off the ridge and traverse northwest up grassy tundra toward the 12,440 foot saddle between points near 12,880 and 12,680 feet.
Route up to Saddle East of 12880
Meadows Leading up to Saddle East of 12880
This is a beautiful alpine meadow high in the Wilderness. Hike up to the saddle, and you’re on the Continental Divide.
Vasquez and Ridge from Point 12880
Quartz Cairn on Divide near Vasquez
Climb up the moderate ridge west of the saddle, traverse north around point 12,880, and follow the easy Divide ridge from point 12,880 north about 3000 feet and up to Vasquez Peak. This is a classic alpine hike with stunning views of the Wilderness. This route was easy in August, but earlier in the summer, there might be steep snowfields – point 12,880 might be a problem.
Vasquez Peak’s summit is rocky, but it’s easy to climb.
Vasquez View South to 12880
Vasquez Summit
There is limited shelter from wind among the rocks within the activation zone. Be sure to bring a pole in order to erect a wire HF antenna. It’s a perfect HF location, but it has limited VHF/UHF coverage to the east.
Vasquez First Activation Just East of Summit
Vasquez Activation Antenna
Needless to say, this is a place to avoid in bad weather – it’s the highest summit for miles in every direction! Start early and don’t mess with Vasquez unless the weather forecast is OK.
The day I went up there, I saw no one else near the summit or on the high ridges. I did meet people on the CDT, and while I was on the air, I saw more than 50 elk in a secluded valley northeast of the summit.
It looks like Vasquez also can be climbed by following the west fork of the CDT all the way around the west side of 12,880, and then climbing about 800 vertical feet directly up to the ridge between 12,880 and Vasquez. I have not tried this route, but it might be a convenient descent route if weather threatens on the high Divide.
Vasquez is a SOTA Classic!
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Vasquez View West to Jones Pass
Jones Pass 4WD Road from Vasquez Peak
Stanley Mountain Southwest Side
Henderson Mine Glory Hole
Larkspur Flowers along CDT
Hummingbird Moth and Larkspur near CDT
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
Buffalo Peak (Freeman Peak)
W0C/FR-032
3525 m / 11589 ft
First Activation
Oct 5, 2014
by KX0R
Buffalo Peak, also called Freeman Peak, is a broad, prominent summit in the Pike National Forest, a couple of miles south of Wellington Lake. It’s about three miles inside the Lost Peak Wilderness, and at 11,589 feet, it’s the highest point in Jefferson County. Some time ago I found that it had not yet been “activated” in the SOTA (Summits on the Air) program. Since I started climbing and activating SOTA peaks in 2013, I’ve particularly enjoyed doing “first activations” of local summits. Since the SOTA program has been going for several years, most of the easy, accessible summits have been activated many times, but there are still many peaks in our state that have never been put on the air within the SOTA program.
Buffalo Peak from Green Mountain
I decided it was time to get up there before the route was buried under snow for the winter. I had seen Buffalo first-hand when I first-activated nearby 10,421’ Green Mountain W0C/FR-044. I studied the topo map, which shows no trail up Buffalo; but a reasonable-looking ridge runs 3000 vertical feet in 3 miles up to the summit from Stoney Pass at about 8,500 feet. I knew my VW bug could do the road, although it is a “first gear grade” part of the way. Sometimes climbing a high forested ridge is not too bad – there are game trails, and the slopes are reasonable to climb in good weather. Right before I went down there, I read an online trip report by two tough young ladies who climbed Buffalo in the snow in late October 2013. They pulled it off with no map or GPS – why? – but they posted wonderful photos and clearly “aced it” – I decided to do it. The ladies warned that it was a steep “bushwhack” route most of the way. I posted my “Alert” on the SOTA page, set the alarm for early, got my stuff ready, slept, and drove to Stoney Pass.
Even though it was a perfect Indian Summer day, there was no one at the pass. I locked my GPS on, headed west, up through the easy woods, and glanced at my map as I started up the huge, steep ridge. Gradually the grade increased, and I tried to stay on the faint game trails, dodging numerous downed trees. In less than an hour my GPS said I’d gained 1000 feet.
Buffalo Peak East Slopes Route
I noticed than there were more and more aspen trees, and fewer lodgepole pines…for the next mile I climbed through endless thickets of dead and live aspens, often with so many fallen trees and dead standing trees that passage was possible only in zig-zag fashion.
Buffalo Aspen Hell
Typical Buffalo Forest Route
More Aspen Hell on Buffalo Route
I was glad that I’d left my 4-foot Black Widow fishing pole at home – I needed both hands to deal with the rocky 3-dimensional thickets I had to traverse. At about 10,200 feet the aspens were no longer a problem, and the deep forest became more open and easier to climb through; but the grade was unrelenting.
Buffalo Easy Sub-Alpine Route
At 11,000 feet everything opened up, the grade decreased, and I was cruising toward the summit. I had to bypass the south summit and then find and climb the north summit; that turned out to be easy class 3 – the route requires a scramble up about 30 feet.
Buffalo Easy Fun Summit Pitch
Then I was on top of a huge elongated orange granite ridge, and the summit rock was right there! The 360-degree view was so incredible I didn’t want to look at first! There was a notebook in a water bottle under some rocks – I opened it – the first signature was Jennifer Roach, guidebook author and wife of climber-author Gerry Roach. Only a few people had signed in 2014 – and 2013, etc. The brass USCGS primary triangulation station bench marker said “FREEMAN”, 1953. This was it! I started getting ready to “activate” SOTA W0C/FR-032.
Buffalo South Ridge and Pikes Peak
Buffalo Peak Summit – Lost Creek Wilderness
USCGS Geodetic Survey marker Freeman
Windy Peak West of Buffalo
I figured I wouldn’t need a tall pole for my antenna, because the summit is forested…but the trees on top of the exposed granite ridge-top are all small, and the good trees are over 30 feet down below. I wanted to operate from the top, because the weather was perfect. Then the answer gradually came to me in the thin air. I took my 6-foot telescoping fishing pole out of the pack – I usually bring it to throw a weight over a tree to pull up the wire – but this time I tied my antenna wire to the top of the little pole. Then I stood on a big rock, reached up as far as I could, and tied the pole into the top of the only significant dead tree near the top. I took the wire spool and moved carefully down the spectacular exposed ridge stringing out 67 feet of #24 teflon and another 20 feet of Dacron.
Buffalo Improvised Activation on Summit
Buffalo Antenna Far End
Detail of Fishing Pole DX Antenna
I found a dead tree trunk and used that for the end support. I tightened it up – it held – and then I climbed back across the rocky ridge and adjusted the feed end so I could connect the tuner. I got out my gear, connected up, got slightly comfortable, pulled out the clipboard with the log, put on the phones, plugged in the Palm Paddles, set up the ATS-3B for 15M, plugged in the battery, and immediately head loud CW signals on 21.060. I adjusted the tuner for peak noise, finished the match with the LED bridge, and got on 21.063 with 5W. I called CQ and in about a minute there was a pile! The lash-up antenna worked just fine! QSO #10 was DJ5AV Michael – 579 him, 539 me – just fine. 20M was even better than 15; after that I opened the link in the antenna, tuned up on 17M, and got a few more. At the end DJ5AV got me again on 18.093 – 569, 539. There were 32 contacts.
When I climbed down off the rocks, I found the site-built tripod that the USCGS surveyors built for their instruments back in 1953 – it was propped against the rocks, over 60 years later.
USCGS Triangulation Platform from 1953
On the way down the steep ridge, I used my GPS to backtrack, since it’s easy to get off-course going down in the thick forest, where you can’t always tell where you’re going. In a couple of hours I was back at the car; I was home in time for dinner.
Buffalo Peak was another incredible SOTA Classic!
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
KX0R with Improvised HF Antenna on Buffalo
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/FR-150 (Thunder Peak) – 3083 m / 10134 ft
May 7, 2014
by KØMOS
According to the WX forecast, today was the best chance to bag another summit for the remainder of the week. After a nice thunderstorm over night, more thunderstorms were in the forecast starting at noon, and even some snow was forecast over night. Getting on the trail early was key. So was to travel light and I therefore exchanged my 30′ mast with a lightweight 16′ fishing rod and the Bazooka and J-Pole antennas with a linked EFHW before I left my QTH.
Thanks to some fresh intell from KX0R/Carey (who activated this summit two days ago) I took a new route which shaved off ~0.5 miles – not much but if you are competing against the clock, every bit helps. I hit the trail under blue skies and not a cloud in sight. I bushwhacked my way up through dense forest and was greeted on the summit by dark clouds all around . Thanks to the abundance of dead trees on the summit, the antenna was up in no time and I got my QRP signal out just in in time to correspond with my posted SOTA alert.
W7RV/Tom picked up my signal on 20m and posted a spot (thanks Tom). Within nine minutes I had 10 contacts and no more takers on 20m when I switched to 15m – just to take a peak… clouds were moving in fast and a cold breeze had me add a new layer of clothing.
My CQs on 15m were answered by M1DXU and shortly after by G2YT/Peter near London (UK). G2YK is a call sign originally issued to ‘Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Company Limited’ at the Poldhu Radio Station in Cornwall (you can read more about it here) – pretty cool :)
After this short QSO it was definitely time to pack up my radio and head downhills. The activation only lasted 17 minutes and with ice pellets falling from the sky I slid down the steep and sandy slopes of Thunder Peak, trying to reach the forest to get some protection. By the time I arrived at the TH, the ice pellets morphed into a nice rain shower… exactly what we currently need here in N-Colorado.
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
W0C/SP-090 (Crooked Top Mountain) – 3183 M / 10465 ft
Oct 24, 2013 – First Activation
by KX0R
Crooked Top is well-hidden, but it’s a fine SOTA peak. It takes some effort to find it and climb it, so it gets few visitors. When climbed and activated along with its sister summit 10140, W0C/SP-098, Crooked Top provides a rewarding outing.
The route to Crooked Top begins with a drive west from Denver on Highway 285. Crooked Top is located about 4 miles NW of Bailey, but the best road approach is via Road 43, the Deer Creek Road. The marked turn to Road 43 is about one mile east of Crow Hill. From 285, turn right (north) on 43A, continue north about 0.4 mile to 43, and then drive northwest on 43 about 6 miles. Find Saddlestring Road, turn left, cross over Deer Creek, and follow Saddlestring past several other roads to a large parking area and a marked 4WD road (997/P-63) leading uphill – south – into the Pike National Forest. The entire route is shown accurately on Google Maps. Follow 997/P-63 about two miles, first west and then south, until it becomes Forest Road 101, at a junction with FSR-105. Continue southeast on 101, approximately along the 9400 foot contour line, for more than a mile.
Road 101 has two junctions with FSR-105, a 4WD loop road leading over the ridge to the SW. There is a large gate at the second (SE) junction. When I went up there in late October, that gate was closed across 101 – if the gate is open, you may be able to drive all the way to the Pass at about 9550 feet, between Crooked Top and 10140. If the gate’s closed, just park there and walk up the gentle road to the Pass.
A couple of key points:
1. The route from Saddlestring Road to the pass at 9550 is called a 4WD road on signs, but it’s not a true 4WD road – 2WD vehicles with medium to high clearance can handle this road, as long as conditions are OK and the driver is careful. There are plenty of rocks and other problems, and it’s over 4 miles of bumps, but there are no really steep spots, big humps, mud-holes, or large rocks. It appears that dispersed camping and fires are permitted along the road.
2. There is no open road from the 9550 Pass to the southeast. You cannot drive NW from Crow Hill (285) and reach the 9550 Pass from the south. There may have been such a road (101) up Crow Creek in the past – it is shown on some maps – but it is no longer an option. Google Maps is correct – 101 continues down SE from the Pass for about 1.5 miles, but it either dead-ends or is blocked. There also was a locked gate at the pass the day I was there, and there is a fence across the Pass. Despite the barriers, much of the land immediately south of the Pass, including Crooked Top Mountain, is in Pike National Forest.
Crooked Top Mountain towers about 900 feet above the 9550 Pass; from the Pass, head up east along the fence until you come to the remains of an old road. Follow this road up SE a short distance until it ends, and then climb directly east, up the moderately steep west slope of Crooked Top, all the way to the ridge just NW of the summit. Once on the ridge, follow the ridge SE up to the summit. There are several rocky knolls on top – the actual summit is toward the SE. There are great views there, as well as nice spots to set up and activate. With some shelter from wind, ample space, and trees suitable for antenna supports, the summit is friendlier than many. This wild peak sees few visitors – but it’s a classic SOTA peak.
The descent is the reverse of the climb. Strong knees are required to descend – it’s 900 vertical feet down to the Pass, and 700 of those feet are directly down the slope. The west side of Crooked Top is relatively open, with little talus, no cliffs, and few fallen trees – but avoid the steep south slopes below the summit.
After returning down to the Pass, you can decide whether to activate 10140. See the trip report for that peak – the route is simpler and easier than Crooked Top, so doing them both for 8 points is a great idea if weather and time allow. These two peaks make for a classic dual SOTA activation!
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
Sunset on Crooked Top
Junction with FSR-105 and FSR-101
Crooked Top Viewed from 10140
Activation Antenna 66 ft EFFW on Crooked Top
KX0R First Activation Site on Crooked Top
Summit Rocks on Crooked Top
Sunset on Crooked Top and 10140
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers… there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required – enjoy!
