Exposed Summit

This summit sits on CSKT tribal land and requires a permit for non-tribal members ($100 for one year at the time of writing), which makes access the main consideration rather than the hike itself. I chose this one specifically as my first activation report - the logistics felt important to document clearly. The route is a straightforward, trail-less ascent up an open grassy hillside, with trees at the summit and excellent views of the Mission Mountains. If you can get the permit sorted out, this is an easy and enjoyable activation.

Access & Permit

Shook Mountain is the apex on the north end of a small rib of mountains lying between the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River, and the Idaho/Montana border to the south.  Having good views of both those valleys there are also fine views of rugged peaks in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

White Mountain, a US Forest Service Lookout since 1934, had been updated to an L4 Lookout cabin on a 41’ wooden tower in 1954.  It is on the National Register of Historic Lookouts. It has good views of the southern Bitterroot Mountains, the Great Burn Wilderness Study Area, the Idaho/Montana border and the Lolo National Forest.

Current access is hiking approximately 2 miles through forest and along a permanently closed road.

This nondescript summit is almost indistinguishable from the surrounding ridges and summits.  It does have a rocky forested summit traversed by an old logging skid trail.  It also lies at the head of interestingly named creek, Dirty Ike.

Being close to Clinton, MT, just off Interstate 90 and having a logging road traversing south slopes to just below this summit makes an easy activation or possible easy winter activation.

Trees on the summit provide good support for hanging wire antennas.    

Trail Miles: 0.5 roundtrip

Dec 2025 Update: Access road to the Woodpecker Trailhead is now open. This road passes right past Forest Road 035 which is the turnoff described in the original trip report (http://www.pnwsota.org/node/681). Road 035 has been cleared of all large deadfall, but does narrow in places so suggest you walk this if you don't want paint scratches on the vehicle.

Dec 2025 Update: This area has been radically transformed by massive forest fires. Access roads to Timber Butte are now open after years of being closed (image below).  The burned trees near roads have been logged to keep them clear. The summit and all of Forest Road 812 is completely burned.  Summit views posted to SOTA Atlas.

Engle Peak has spectacular views of the southern Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area. Peak access is over good roads and a lightly used trail. 

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.

Double Peaks is a 4-point summit in the Mt. Hood National Forest, 2 miles west of Olallie Lake. The entire area is a burn scar, so expect loose dirt and rocks, burned treefall, and no shade. The area is 2 miles west of the Warm Spring Reservation and lies squarely in the National Forest.

Fish Creek Mountain is a 6.3 mile RT hike with 2300 feet of elevation gain.

Access to the trail head is on good roads, mostly paved with good gravel for the final bit.

The area was burned in 2020 and closed for several years after. As a result the trail is somewhat overgrown and hard to find in a few places. However, there is lots of marking tape and other signals such as logs that have been cut out of the way. So navigation was pretty easy. I have attached a GPX file to SOTL.AS for further help.