{"id":5478,"date":"2015-03-05T21:47:58","date_gmt":"2015-03-06T04:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=5478"},"modified":"2017-01-28T20:52:17","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T03:52:17","slug":"w0cfr155-deer-mountain-3046-10013-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr155-deer-mountain-3046-10013-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W\u00d8C\/FR-155 (Deer Mountain) – 3052 m \/ 10013 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"

W0C\/FR-155
\nDeer Mountain
\n3052 m \/ 10013 ft
\n30 Sep 2013
\n11 Jan 2014<\/p>\n

By KX0R<\/p>\n

Deer Mountain<\/a> is a popular, accessible SOTA<\/a> peak near Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a>. A maintained trail leads all the way to the summit. The one-way distance is about 2.8 miles, and the vertical gain is about 1100 vertical feet.<\/p>\n

\"Deer<\/a>

East Side of Deer Mountain from Castle Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n

To reach the trail-head, get up early, drive to Estes Park, continue to the Beaver Meadows Entrance of the National Park, and either pay the fee, or show your pass. Deer Mountain is the prominent feature north of the Entrance Station. Drive west on Highway 36, beneath the massive, rocky south side of Deer Mountain, and ascend to Deer Ridge Junction just west of the Mountain. Park east of the Junction along the highway.<\/p>\n

\"Deer<\/a>

South Side of Deer Mountain from Eagle Cliff Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n

The Deer Mountain Trail<\/a> starts out easy as it heads up the northwest slope of the Mountain. At 9200 feet it switches back north and then climbs up the slope with a series of switchbacks. There are nice views from the trail. At about 9800 feet the grade eases, and the trail climbs southeast up to a gentle saddle. The route continues southeast and descends slightly across the broad mountain. Then the trail climbs gradually, generally south to the rocky summit. The peak is a natural overlook with impressive views.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View South to Longs Peak from Deer Mountain Summit<\/p><\/div>\n

The Deer Mountain Trail<\/a> is popular, and there are often hikers on the trail near the summit. It may be practical to set up and activate near the top, but the activation zone extends into the woods to the north, so it\u2019s easy to set up a short distance away from the busy overlook. The forest offers shelter from the strong winds that often sweep across the mountain.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of trees available for an antenna \u2013 or bring a pole.\u00a0Deer Mountain is an excellent HF site, but VHF\/UHF coverage is somewhat limited by higher peaks.<\/p>\n\n\t\t