SOTA Summit: W6/CT-247, Mount Williamson
Trail: Yes
Hike: Easy ~ 6 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1500 feet
Self Spot: RBNhole – CW
2-meter FM: Maybe – got one
Files: GPX
Great day for SOTA.
Had some free time on Friday so decided to head to the Angeles National Forrest and bag a few SOTA peaks. Ended up doing four total. Started the morning at Mount Williamson.
The weather was forecast to be cool and overcast with the possibility of drizzle in the basin, but the mountains were above the cloud layer with nice warm sun all day. Perfect temperatures for hiking.
Lots of PCT through hikers out on the trail. I saw at least 20 while on Williamson, it was like a convention. Most PCT hikers had started at the border on May 3rd though I met one hiker making great time who had started on the 10th.
The trick with Mount Williamson is that it is one of the summits “adjusted” during the 2016 update and the SOTA summit does not match the named summit. For activation you need to proceed a bit further along the Pleasant View Ridge to the high point properly known at Peak 8248′.
I am new enough activating using CW (only place I really use it other than chasing SOTA) that every activation is an adventure. On Williamson I ended up with 21 CW contacts on 20 meters. That is the most I have ever done mountain top. Thanks to the chasers for their patience as I improve my CW operating skills while mobile on the summit.
Great report. Thank you Michael. Hope to make contact with you the next time you are on a peak. I’m new to ham and will be activating my first peak on Friday (W6/CT-274). I can’t wait. I have a hard time getting signals from home and I am limited on the types of antennas I can have at my home, so once I get all my gear setup and learn from my first activation, I will spend most of my time activating peaks.
It is great to read that your two sons are also hams.
Have a great day.
Thanks for the comment Hugo. Saddle Peak should be a great way to start your SOTA adventure.
73, Michael KX6A