{"id":6734,"date":"2017-01-29T09:28:22","date_gmt":"2017-01-29T16:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/?p=6734"},"modified":"2017-01-29T09:28:22","modified_gmt":"2017-01-29T16:28:22","slug":"w0cfr080-sheep-mountain-2576-8450-ft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr080-sheep-mountain-2576-8450-ft\/","title":{"rendered":"W0C\/FR-080 (Sheep Mountain) &#8211; 2576 m \/ 8450 ft"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>W0C\/FR-080<br \/>\nSheep Mountain<br \/>\n2576m \/ 8450 ft<br \/>\nOct 7, 2015<br \/>\nSep 29, 2016<\/p>\n<p>By KX0R<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Loveland,_Colorado\">City of Loveland<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/wps\/portal\/fsinternet\/cs\/main\/!ut\/p\/z1\/jY9BC4JAEIV_S4e9OkNFSDdvS5SdUptLaGyrsTqybi39-ySDCEx6t3l874MBggyoye-Vzl3FTW76-0ir0xyHRCHupUxi3L0LhPQF4I9ECPTPfgKgaX0KBCOCZPsRwLQhllwr2ABpw8XwctQUi1ADWXVRVtngZvu6dK7t1gIFeu8DzayNCs5cCxyblNw5yL5JaOtDhtclFQ8_ewIkCyJj\/dz\/d5\/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh\/?pname=Arapaho%2Fprojects%2Fea-projects%2Fsrd%2Fwinterpark%2Findex.shtml&amp;ss=110210&amp;pnavid=null&amp;navid=091000000000000&amp;ttype=main&amp;cid=null\">Roosevelt National Forest<\/a><br \/>\n\u2022 Good maintained trail to the top<br \/>\n\u2022 Easily accessible trailhead &#8211; <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\">eventually &#8211; closed now &#8211; see below!!<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n\u2022 Moderate hike with considerable elevation gain<br \/>\n\u2022 Beautiful trip through varied terrain<br \/>\n\u2022 Plenty of wildlife<br \/>\n\u2022 Pleasant forested summit with no fire damage<br \/>\n\u2022 Starting elevation ~ 5770 feet<br \/>\n\u2022 ~ 9.4 miles round trip<br \/>\n\u2022 ~ 2800 total vertical feet of gain<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1335\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_7226-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-6808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_7226-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_7226-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_7226-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_7226-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_7226-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-6808'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain, from Triangle Mountain\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>There are many &#8220;Sheep Mountains&#8221; in Colorado. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-080\">Sheep Mountain W0C\/FR-080<\/a> is a prominent summit on the south side of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.loveland.org\/Big_Thompson_Canyon\/\">Big Thompson Canyon<\/a>, west of Loveland, Colorado. It\u2019s about 2 miles from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-084\">Palisade Mountain W0C\/FR-084<\/a>, across the canyon.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to Brian N0BCB for first activating W0C\/FR-080. This aroused my curiosity about the big mountain. When I first looked at the Google map, I assumed that there was no trail. Eventually I learned otherwise\u2026<\/p>\n<p>The USFS <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hikingproject.com\/trail\/7002443\/round-mountain-summit-adventure-trail\">Round Mountain Trail # 969<\/a> leads all the way to the summit of Sheep Mountain. This is a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cityofloveland.org\/departments\/parks-recreation\/recreation-trails\/summit-adventure-trail\">National Recreation Trail<\/a>; it was built mostly by the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Civilian_Conservation_Corps\">CCC<\/a> in the 1930\u2019s. The upper part is called the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.summitpost.org\/sheep-mountain\/399413\">Summit Adventure Trail<\/a>. This is a well-maintained hiking trail with excellent access; the USFS says use is light.<\/p>\n<p>Driving Directions:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Drive several miles west of Loveland on Highway 34.<br \/>\n\u2022 The trailhead is about 4 miles west of the Dam Store<br \/>\n\u2022 In the canyon, pass the closed entrance to the Loveland Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park on the right<br \/>\n\u2022 Look on the left for a sign<br \/>\n\u2022 Immediately turn left onto a marked dirt road leading into the parking area<br \/>\n\u2022 There\u2019s space for about 20 cars<br \/>\n\u2022 Parking is free<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\">*** In 2017 the Big Thompson Canyon Highway 34, including the area near this trailhead, is closed due to highway re-construction. \u00a0Check online before going up there!!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1326\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4890-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-6799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4890-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4890-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4890-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4890-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4890-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-6799'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; Round Mountain Trailhead Sign\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>This trailhead isn\u2019t labeled on Google Maps, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recreation\/recarea?recid=36845&amp;actid=51\">Round Mountain Trail<\/a> is not shown at all!<\/p>\n<p>The Hike:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Start up the trail on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cityofloveland.org\/departments\/parks-recreation\/recreation-trails\/foothills-nature-trail\">Foothills Nature Trail, <\/a>which is property of Loveland.<br \/>\n\u2022 After \u00bc mile, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recreation\/recarea?recid=36845&amp;actid=51\">Round Mountain Trail<\/a> splits off to the left at a sign.<br \/>\n\u2022 At first the trail climbs gently east, across a steep, north-facing slope<br \/>\n\u2022 Then it climbs progressively up the northeast ridge of Sheep Mountain.<br \/>\n\u2022 The route leads southwest through some interesting rock formations<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1336\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0307-2-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-6815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0307-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0307-2-250x333.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0307-2.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-6815'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain, Trail through the Rocks\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1338\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4842-2-227x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-6817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4842-2-227x300.jpg 227w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4842-2-250x330.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4842-2.jpg 758w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-6817'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; View from Saddle toward Summit\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 At 7380 feet, it turns south and contours into a pleasant valley<br \/>\n\u2022 The path ascends the head of the valley to the saddle southeast of Sheep Mountain<br \/>\n\u2022 From the saddle, the trail climbs 1000 vertical feet, up several switchbacks to the summit.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1332\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0306-2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-6805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0306-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0306-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0306-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0306-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0306-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-6805'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain Trail near Summit\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr080-sheep-mountain-2576-8450-ft\/attachment\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1333\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0305-2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-6806\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0305-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0305-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0305-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0305-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_0305-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-6806'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain Summit Cairn\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The only water on the trail is a spring along the trail in the valley, at about 7370 feet. There\u2019s a warning there that the water must be treated to be safe to drink. Carry enough water, or use a pump-filter or other means to purify the available water.<\/p>\n<p>The forested summit is large and relatively flat \u2013 the Activation Zone is spacious! There are plenty of pine trees for supporting a pole or a wire. I set up my gear about 100 feet north of the summit, in a pleasant spot at the edge of a small meadow. It was quiet, and I saw no one while I was up there.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1329\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4851-2-300x205.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-6802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4851-2-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4851-2-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4851-2-250x171.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4851-2-440x300.jpg 440w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4851-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-6802'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; KX0R SOTA Activaton near Summit\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1328\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4849-2-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-6801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4849-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4849-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4849-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4849-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4849-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-6801'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; KX0R SOTA Radio Gear\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>There\u2019s no development or radio equipment on the mountain. Sheep Mountain is an ideal radio site, with no close sources of RF noise, and it\u2019s not blocked by any higher mountains nearby. This peak has pretty good UHF\/VHF coverage of much of the greater Denver metro area, as well other cities along the northern Front Range.<\/p>\n<p>My HF SOTA activations on Sheep Mountain have been easy and fun! \u00a0With an ATS-3B radio, an end-fed wire, and only 5 watts output:<\/p>\n<p>October 7, 2015, I spent more than an hour on the air, and I logged 25 CW contacts on 7, 10, 14, and 18 MHz. This session included one summit-to-summit (S2S) contact.<\/p>\n<p>September 29, 2016, I logged 44 CW contacts on 7, 10, and 14 MHz. This session included two S2S contacts.<\/p>\n<p>Later I enjoyed exploring the top of the mountain and looking for views. This forested peak has no wide vistas, but dramatic views can be found at nearby crags.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1331\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4885-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-6804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4885-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4885-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4885-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4885-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4885-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-6804'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; View East\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Even though the USFS classifies the Round Mountain Trail as \u201cmost difficult\u201d, this is a relative rating. It\u2019s a moderately stiff trail, and it might be better to skip it on a hot day \u2013 or start really early. This is a fine climb for experienced hikers with light gear, but it might be arduous for those not used to the altitude, or carrying too much weight. It\u2019s also too long for a good family hike. Unless you\u2019re a SOTA activator, the summit\u2019s slightly disappointing. I thought the hike was really nice in early October!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1330\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4884-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-7-6803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4884-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4884-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4884-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4884-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4884-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-7-6803'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; Trail &#8211; Upper Part\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Other SOTA peaks are near Sheep Mountain:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-084\">W0C\/FR-084 Palisade Mountain<\/a> 2 miles north, across the canyon<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-192\">W0C\/FR-192 8310<\/a> 2 miles west<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-103\">W0C\/FR-103 Alexander Mountain<\/a> 3-1\/2 miles east<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-057\">W0C\/FR-057 Crosier Mountain<\/a> 6 miles west<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sota.org.uk\/Summit\/W0C\/FR-064\">W0C\/FR-064 West Crosier<\/a> 7 miles west<\/p>\n<p>Of these, Palisade is the easiest peak to combine with Sheep Mountain for a dual activation.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-8 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-8' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1337\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4858-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-8-6816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4858-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4858-2-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4858-2-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4858-2-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_4858-2-401x300.jpg 401w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-8-6816'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain &#8211; Palisade Summit across the Canyon\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Sheep Mountain is a fine SOTA peak with a convenient trailhead. Activators who like to hike with light equipment will enjoy this peak. This is another Colorado two-point summit that comes with lots of exercise and few hassles.<\/p>\n<p>73<\/p>\n<p>George<br \/>\nKX0R<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-9 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-9' class='gallery galleryid-6734 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-full'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sierra-exif-jpeg-1334\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1004-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-9-6807\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1004-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1004-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1004-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1004-2-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1004-2-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-9-6807'>\n\t\t\t\tSheep Mountain, at Sunset from Triangle Mountain\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<HR>\n<p style=\"font-size:10px\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Achtung.svg\/877px-Achtung.svg.png\" alt=\"ATTENTION\" style=\"float:left\" height=\"41\" width=\"41\"> \n\n!! WARNING !! There are <b>old<\/b> mountaineers, and \n<b>bold<\/b> mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers. \nHiking 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!\n<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>W0C\/FR-080 Sheep Mountain 2576m \/ 8450 ft Oct 7, 2015 Sep 29, 2016 By KX0R Key points: \u2022 City of Loveland and Roosevelt National Forest \u2022 Good maintained trail to the top \u2022 Easily accessible trailhead &#8211; eventually &#8211; closed &hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/sota-trip-report\/w0cfr080-sheep-mountain-2576-8450-ft\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,16],"tags":[25,17,598,116,153,8,601,181,600,9,24,602,599],"class_list":["post-6734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sota-trip-report","category-wo","tag-activation","tag-amateur-radio","tag-big-thompson-canyon","tag-front-range","tag-kx0r","tag-mountain-topping","tag-round-mountain-trail","tag-route-description","tag-sheep-mountain","tag-sota","tag-summits-on-the-air","tag-trail-969","tag-w0cfr-080"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6734"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6818,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6734\/revisions\/6818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schnizer.com\/SOTAblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}