Dakota Hill<\/a> is a good SOTA peak, but it\u2019s not in the Dakotas; and at 10,929 feet, 3325M, it\u2019s not really a hill. Activating this peak requires a little map-reading, some interesting driving, and a short hike.<\/p>\nDrive to Black Hawk, head north on Highway 119 about 2-1\/2 miles, and turn left on Apex Valley Road, Co Rd 4-S. Google maps show this route clearly. Follow Apex Valley Road several miles, and continue past the left turn for Elk Park Road \u2013 Mammoth Gulch Road. The road gradually gets rougher here, and you may wonder if you\u2019re on the right track. Go north uphill on Co Rd 4-S, then up around a switch back \u2013 the road gets steep, and parts of it have been eroded by recent heavy rains. If you have an ordinary car, you should park before the road gets too rough. I was able to drive my old VW bug up to an old mine, where there are a couple of buildings. Parking is not prohibited \u2013 park well off the road. Above the mine the road is very rough, but if you have a 4WD vehicle you can drive a bit higher. From the mine you can hike directly up the slope 700 vertical feet to the summit. You also can hike or drive up the road, and then climb the NW ridge up to the summit. Either way this is a short SOTA hike.<\/p>\n
There is a fenced microwave facility and towers on top of the mountain. The area is not posted, but obviously you should avoid the facility.<\/p>\n
The Dakota Hill summit is wide and almost flat, so you can easily set up and operate several hundred feet east of the microwave site, while staying well within 75 vertical feet of the summit. The eastern part of the peak is a pleasant, sheltered forest. You are unlikely to see anyone up there. It\u2019s easy to set up and activate. I experienced no interference from the microwave facility.<\/p>\n
There is another 4WD route up the eastern side of Dakota Hill \u2013 I have no information about access via that route. The western access via Apex Valley Road seems like the best way up.<\/p>\n
George Carey Fuller
\nKX0R<\/p>\n\n\t\t