{"id":5150,"date":"2015-02-21T17:21:15","date_gmt":"2015-02-22T00:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=5150"},"modified":"2017-01-28T21:20:21","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T04:20:21","slug":"w0cfr179-8849-2692-8849-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr179-8849-2692-8849-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/FR-179 (8849) – 2697 M \/ 8849 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/FR-179
\n8849
\n2697 M \/ 8849 ft
\nAug 25, 2013 First Activation
\nJune 8, 2014 Second Activation<\/p>\n

by KX0R<\/p>\n

Initially Summit 8849<\/a> looks like an insignificant 2-point SOTA<\/a> peak, so unimportant that it doesn\u2019t have a regular name. One of the best aspects of the SOTA program is that we visit summits like this, and so discover these special places.<\/p>\n

\"Summit<\/a>

Summit 8849 with Balcony at Right<\/p><\/div>\n

Getting to 8849 is not hard \u2013 drive up the Peak to Peak Highway, Highway 119, north of Allens Park, to Meeker Park, east of huge Mount Meeker. Turn east on Boulder County Road 82, a fair dirt road; follow it about a mile to a fork; and then turn right on Road 82E. Stay on 82E through private property for about 2 more miles; head east down along Cabin Creek, and then follow the winding road up a steep hill to the USFS boundary. The road has been recently repaired, and it\u2019s OK for ordinary cars, as long as it\u2019s dry. At the hilltop, there\u2019s parking and a few informal campsites. Forest Road 118 branches off to the right and leads to 8849, as well as to Johnny Park – several more miles further east. When I was there on June 8, 2014, there were several groups of campers at the hilltop; road 118 was gated, but not closed to hiking.<\/p>\n

\"8849<\/a>

8849 Road 118<\/p><\/div>\n

Summit 8849 is 1.6 miles from the hilltop parking spot where Road 118 begins; there is only about 600 vertical feet of gain. \u00a0If the gate is open on Road 118, it may be possible to drive within 3\/4 mile of the summit, with only about 400 vertical feet of gain required.<\/p>\n

Road 118 is not shown on Google maps, but it’s clear in the satellite images. It leads to a saddle between an un-named summit and 8849; 8849 is visible from this saddle \u2013 the broad forested summit and the distinctive cliff \u201cbalcony\u201d on the southwest side can be seen almost a mile away. Just past the saddle, head right off the road, and enter an obvious firebreak that has been cleared through the forest.<\/p>\n

\"8849<\/a>

8849 Route via Firebreak<\/p><\/div>\n

Hike up through this firebreak for about half a mile, being careful not to trip over the debris. At this point you may wonder if this hike is worth the hassle \u2013 but the ugly firebreak may save this wild forest from total destruction some day. The firebreak route is efficient and direct \u2013 but if you don\u2019t like it, head up through the forest south of the cleared area. If you stay with the firebreak, follow it as far up as it goes; then head right, south, at about a 45 degree angle, and follow game trails up a moderate slope through open woods, for about 1\/3 mile to the broad summit.<\/p>\n

The top of the mountain is forested, and there are plenty of good trees to use for antenna supports. There are several open areas where stringing a wire is easy. This is actually a very friendly summit for radio operating! The Activation Zone is huge. There is a pile of rocks on top, but no register; few people visit this summit.<\/p>\n\n\t\t