W8V/PH-027 Barton Knob

This was my second and last summit on the way back from the W8V SOTA campout. Barton Knob is an easy activation to add on, as it’s just a few miles west on US-250 from Gaudineer Knob. I drove along the gravel Barton Knob Tower Road, which has a parking area by an overlook, and there the road is gated. A short hike along the gravel road winds up to the firetower, which cannot be easily climbed (the first few ladder runs have been removed).

I worked Mike AD8IS immediately on 40m. I could hear N8JEP on 2m FM, who had been waiting around on his summit to work me again, but he couldn’t hear me and packed up. I did manage one S2S, with KG0AT on W0C/FR-005 on 20m. Not the most scenic views on this foggy day, but I reckon it would be nice at a clearer time. I packed it in quickly to get back on the road.

• Trailhead: 38.61691, -79.93245 : Parking area along Barton Knob Tower Road
• Maps: [AA3TZ SOTA]
• Route: 0.4 mi one-way hike along gated gravel Barton Knob Tower Road, towards firetower
• POTA: US-0632 Monongohela National Forest