Easy Trail

5526 is a 4-point summit in the Malheur National Forest, about 15 road miles northeast of Prairie City, OR. It is a very short bushwhack through open forest up to the summit area, which is pretty flat. The roads in the area are quite convoluted but the well worn tracks take you right close to the summit. The summit is semi-open, sparse views and plenty of trees for antennas. Don't expect 2m contacts here and AT&T data service was non-functional, so I relied upon RBN for spotting. I didn't think to check APRS.

Access is via the Klootchy Creek County Park off of HW26 just 2 miles east of Hwy 101 near Seaside. There's plenty of parking. And a pit toilet.

The summit and access are on Nuveen Natural Capital (private) property, previously Lewis and Clark Timberland. A (free, as of 2025) access permit is required from https://nncpermits.com/ Get the one for NNC_OR_25.

Oak Grove Butte is now a 3 mile RT hike with 750 feet of elevation gain. The rest of the write up here :http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7atn/2016-october-29/oak-grove-butte-or-october-2016, is generally correct, except the passive repeater now has a big brother and the road to that tower is good gravel. However, a gate blocks this road at the final intersection.

Driving Directions:

Get on 224 heading east out of Estacada, OR.

I tried an alternate route to 5060 (aka Full Quieting Mt.) in the Gifford Pinchot. 

I parked at (46.10557, -121.66125) on NF-2360-071 (aka Eckhart Pass Road).

Proceed South up the ridge, which is mostly open with some deadfall/blowdown for about 0.55 miles. There is a false summit, just continue south.

Cox Benchmark is a Drive up summit near Lakeview OR.

There is a small RF site on top, but we experienced no interference from it.

The last bit of road, approximately one mile and 500 feet of gain, is a bit rough and overgrown in places. We drove it in a Rav4, but you could park near the start of it at 42.39478, -120.36527. This would avoid needing higher clearance and northwest pin stripes.

To get there turn off of 395 at 42.30956, -120.3406

Turn off of 3625 onto 011 at 42.38721, -120.37900

Frazier Point Lookout is a decommissioned lookout off of US-395 between Burns and John Day.It is a drive into the activation zone with a passenger car summit. The final push to the tower is a bit steep and rocky, but it’s not necessary to drive there.

Google maps provides accurate directions. Basically, off of US-395 turn East onto paved forest road NF-17. Follow it to NF-295 which becomes NF_1630. Then take NF-849 to the top. There are signs and everything!

I used the clothes line pole to attach my antenna pole. The stairway to the tower is blocked.

Jumpoff Joe is a short bushwhack in the Malheur National Forest off of US-395 between Burns and John Day. Start of the hike is decommissioned forest road 1601-084 located at 44.07619, -118.81145.

I will not tell you how to get there because there has to be a better way. We were on FR 902 and FR 879 coming from the south. Those roads had bad water damage and were at the verge of navigability. We eventually hit road 3930 which was good gravel. Try to come in on that road.

The summit is open, but there are trees blocking the view.

Calamity Butte is an active Lookout in the Malheur Forest. It has two lookout buildings, an historic one on the ground and a newer one on a tower. It is located off of US-395 between John Day and Burns.

To get there drive 395 to 43.9282, -118.9323 and turn west onto forest road 2840, AKA Calamity Lookout Road. Turn North on to FR-28 then immediately left onto 2860. The road is rough from here. We did it with 8” of clearance and AWD. The track is available on sotl.as.

King Mountain is a drive up off of US-395 between John Day and Burns.

To get there turn east off of 395 at 43.7862, -118.8654 onto good gravel road 2820.

Stay on this road until the turn up to king at 43.7872, -118.8655.

It is now approximately 2.5 miles and 700 feet of gain to the top. We were able to drive all of it in our Rav4. Plenty of parking opportunities so you can drive as far as you and your vehicle are comfortable.

GPX for this road available at Sotl.as.

Twin Lakes Mountain is a 4-point summit located in the Umpqua National Forest. It can be reached from Hwy. 138, approximately 58 miles east of Roseburg, OR. From there, 9 miles of forest road yields a 2.6 mile hike (each way) on well maintained trail, with views of Diamond Peak, Twin Lakes and other local features. This would be a good stop on the way to Diamond Lake and environs. This summit is close to Illahee Rock, which is on the north side of 138. Combining the two wouldn't be too much trouble.