wringmaster

Sandstone Peak x3

Two days before Christmas I return for a glorious third activation of the misnamed Sandstone Peak. Santa Catalina Island in this view looking from Chester the Drone. 23 DECEMBER 2022 W6/CC-056 This is a classic hike that I give four stars to with one very important caveat: it is an incredibly popular hike. I usuallyContinue reading “Sandstone Peak x3”

Summit 4,460′

On the Edison road to the summit. 26 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-144 Elevation: 4,460′ Route: Short cross country Hike Distance: .6 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 250′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: gentle Vehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Edison dirt road Cell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics This activation didn’t exactly go smoothy but endedContinue reading “Summit 4,460′”

Santiago Peak

Looking north past Modjeska Peak to the San Gabriel Mountains. 5 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-023 Elevation: 4,689′ Route: Drive up Hike Distance: n/a Elevation Gain: n/a Navigation: Easy Steepness: n/a Vehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Forest Service dirt Cell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics Lots of people crowded this “techno summit” on theContinue reading “Santiago Peak”

Modjeska Peak

Looking east toward Mount San Gorgonio and Mount San Jacinto. 5 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-026 Elevation: 5,495′ Route: 4×4 route Hike Distance: 2 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 500′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Gentle Vehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Forest Service dirt Cell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics Modjeska Peak is named for theContinue reading “Modjeska Peak”

Trabuco Peak

Looking southwest to Lake Elsinor with Mount San Jacinto in the background 28 OCTOBER 2022 W6/CT-031 Elevation: 4,603′ Route: Short very steep bushwack Hike Distance: .25 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 150′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Very steep Vehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Forest Service dirt Cell Coverage: None (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics MyContinue reading “Trabuco Peak”

Los Pinos Peak

Looking northwest to Santiago Peak 29 OCTOBER 2022 W6/CT-138 Elevation: 4,541′ Route: Trail Hike Distance: 2 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 500′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Mostly gentle Vehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Forest Service dirt Cell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics I’d stayed up late (for me) the night before watching theContinue reading “Los Pinos Peak”

Townsend Peak

A blustery day on Townsend 22 OCTOBER 2022 W6/SC-161 Elevation: 3,182′ Route: Firebreak/use trail Hike Distance: 500′ Elevation Gain: 100′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Gentle Vehicle: High clearance SUV recommended* Road: Dirt Cell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics I was going to activate Bald Mountain for a complete after Burn Benchmark, but Lake ElizabethContinue reading “Townsend Peak”

Burn Benchmark

A cold, cloudy and windy morning. The San Andreas Fault Zone and the Leona Valley to the north just under the clouds. 22 OCTOBER 2022 W6/CT-136 Elevation: 4,541′ Route: Short dirt bike trail Hike Distance: .2 miles Elevation Gain: 100′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Gentle Vehicle: Passenger car* (See below) Road: Forest Service dirt Cell Coverage:Continue reading “Burn Benchmark”

San Pedro Hill

A rainy day on San Pedro Hill on my way to Ham Radio Outlet to pick up my new Yaesu FTDX-10. I got to meet my faithful chaser Sergio WA6WV as San Pedro Hill is close to his “corner of Torrance.” 15 OCTOBER 2022 W6/SC-345 Elevation: 1,473′ Route: Drive-up Hike Distance: n/a Elevation Gain: n/aContinue reading “San Pedro Hill”

Snow Benchmark

Looking southeast toward “Little” Iron Mountain. Monsoon clouds abound this autumn. 8 OCTOBER 2022 W6/CT-121 Elevation: 4,948′ Route: Very short cross country Hike Distance: 500′ Elevation Gain: 70′ Navigation: Easy Steepness: Easy Vehicle: Passenger car Road: Paved & dirt road with potholes Cell Coverage: Excellent (Verizon), APRS Excellent Hike basics Post to follow. Stay tuned…