W3/SV-008 Rager Mtn via Rager Mountain Trail

Rager Mountain (2589 feet) is a classic drive-on western Pennsylvania SOTA peak. There is a high-tension powerline cut that crosses directly over the summit proper, and a good amount of natural gas processing infrastructure along its flat plateau (that leaked 27,000 tons of methane in 2022). I first activated this peak by driving south from US-22 to Dishong Mountain Road, then along the aptly named Gas Company Road, and had a fairly uneventful activation on one of the trails south of the peak. As Jody K3JZD writes in his activation notes, this is a ‘plateau summit’ with with a large activation zone.

Activation zone for Rager Mtn plotted using N6ARA’s activation zone estimation tool (https://activation.zone/). The circle was my approximate operating point, a bit off from some snowmobile trails.

You can see that portions of Gallitzin State Forest overlap the activation zone, so my plan for this return trip was to hike up to the southwest edge of the AZ through the forest to a point surrounded by some snowmobile trails. Luna was coming with me this time, and I wanted our hike to burn off enough energy so that she wouldn’t get bored during the “sit and goof around on the radio” phase of the excursion. The Clark Run/Rager Mountain Trail loop promised 1400 feet of elevation gain, which I figured would do the trick!

I parked at the Charles F. Lewis Natural Area entrance for Gallitzin State Forest, which was directly off of PA-403. We started on the Clark Run Trail which featured a steep climb on a narrow trail overlooking some pretty waterfalls. The trail is right on the edge of the gorge at times rising with over 25% grade, so this part was nerve-racking. I’m glad I had poles with me. After the first half mile, the trail flattened out considerably for a less steep (but still uphill) climb.

About a mile in, we continued up the Rager Mountain trail. As we continued from here, the snow could get as deep as about 6 inches in places, a very soft powder. The trail was well-marked with yellow blazes, but I found it easy to accidentally end up off trail with a thin layer of snow covering everything. The best views on the hike came from crossing under a powerline cut, with a cooling tower visibly bellowing steam in the distance. I still find it amusing to see trail blazes on things like concrete anchors for power lines, but I am noticing it’s just really common in western PA. The terrain started to get rockier, with large boulders visibly poking through the snow as we approached the 2-mile mark.

The Rager Mountain Trail crosses a snowmobile track, which I had intended to follow into the activation zone. However, the trails were pristine with fresh powdery snow when we got to them (just after noon), and I didn’t want to muck them up with my footsteps before they were packed down. We jumped off trail here and bushwhacked until I was reasonably certain we were in the activation zone. The snowmobile trail arced in a U around us, and six snowmobiles passed by during the activation (I think it was the same two that passed three times). Luna kept herself occupied by sitting alert as these vehicles whirred by, making sure they didn’t get too close. These were the only other people we saw on the hike.

Once Luna had plenty of water to drink and a snack, she settled down to rest and I got a wire up into one of the many trees around us. 10m was in good condition, and I worked AE7I on W6/NS-236 Prosser Hill and K6EL on my former home SOTA peak W6/NC-298 Vollmer Peak. My first SOTA contact was with K6EL on 2m from Vollmer Peak way back in March 2015, nearly 10 years ago! My only other true DX was with the celebrated F4WBN, making it 7 chases from him. K6HPX and WW7D also chased me, and they’re quickly becoming two of my “comfort callsigns,” with 20 and 15 chases, respectively. I spent a bit more time working familiar POTA folks on 20m, and then Luna let me know it was time to go.

For once, this was a loop hike, so the scenery was different on the way back. The trail crossed another powerline cut and briefly merged with a snowmobile trail. At some point, the trail passed into and out of a fenced area. There were even a few mile markers on the trail. This was a gradual descent and there was much more vegetation next to the trail than on the way up: mostly short green brambles poking out in most places, and eventually rhododendrons.

During the last mile or so back on the Clark Run Trail, the terrain got rockier and more uneven, with beautiful snow-capped boulders and rhododendrons everywhere. Pennsylvania was a reputation for really rocky terrain like this, but this was my first time encountering it on a hike. Luna had a good time hopping around, but again I found myself thankful that I brought poles. You would definitely want to watch out for snakes around here in warmer weather; tons of nooks and crannies for snakes to chill under.

After one last steep switchback descent and stream crossing at Clark Run, we were back at the car. Luna’s now got two winter activations under her collar! I’m looking forward to coming back here in other seasons with less snow and ice. It’s a nice hike with good challenge!

Trailhead: 40.41106, -78.98527 : Charles F. Lewis Natural Area gravel parking
Map: [AA3TZ SOTA] [Gallitzin State Forest Public Use Map]
Route: Approximately 5.5 mile loop hike along Clark Run/Rager Mountain Trail, then alongside a snowmobile trail, 1400′ gain
POTA: Gallitzin State Forest (US-5469) is partly in the activation zone. The trailhead is in Charles F. Lewis Natural Area (US-0628), but this reference does not overlap the activation zone.

W3/SV-001 Blue Knob via Lost Turkey Trail

Atop the second-highest peak in PA is a ski resort, making Blue Knob a drive-on. Since it’s the ski season, I wanted to stay away from the crowds and hike along the south face in Blue Knob State Park. I brought Luna along this time for her first SOTA activation, with the goal of hiking the Mountain View loop trail.

Park Road was closed off, likely due to snow, so we had to change plans. I continued up Forest Road to park at the Chappell’s Field Trailhead which has great views of the surrounding hills. A short walk through the family campground (gates were closed) got us to the Lost Turkey Trail, which is marked with red blazes and approaches the summit from the west. This trail was blazed by the Youth Conservation Corps in 1976. If we had gone west from here, we would have passed a monument for the Lost Children of the Alleghenies, memorializing two children who died in the wilderness around here in 1856.

There was about a foot of snow on the trail in some places, which made things trickier. Luna, only about 50 pounds, could walk on top of the hardened snow’s surface without leaving footprints, while I sunk right in with each step in places. She did enjoy diving into the snow when we found a soft spot. Adding snowshoes to the gear wishlist…

After about 700 feet of elevation gain, we made it to the northern terminus of Lost Turkey Trail, Herman Point. As is typical for PA peaks, there was a small collection of radio antennas here. Across the road was the Lost Turkey Trail Connector that continues on towards the ski resort. The trail’s entrance was hard to find, but is marked with a couple blue blazes. We lost the trail a few times in here, but our goal was just to get within the activation zone.

Last time I visited Blue Knob, I activated it by parking on Jack Rabbit Lane and walking down to this spot. This time, I hiked up from the west. Either way, it’s a good spot to operate while staying out of the way of skiiers.

I got a good 36 QSOs in 40 minutes, including a S2S with KC7WXD on Spanish Benchmark in Nevada (W7N/WC-084) and KB9ENS on Mount Lawlor in southern California (W6/CT-089). After waiting patiently for so long, Luna was happy to get back on the trail and jump through more snow. Blue Knob is an easy 10-pointer, one of only 4 in all of W3-SOTA. This trail was a great way to make activating it more of an adventure than a simple drive-on!

Trailhead: 40.28915, -78.58924 : Chappell’s Field Trailhead
Maps: [AA3TZ SOTA] [Blue Knob State Park Map]
Route: 4.8 mi out-and-back, following the Lost Turkey Trail and Connector Trail
POTA: Blue Knob State Park (US-1335)

W3/WE-001 Marsh Hill

After activating W3/WE-002 Dans Rock, I stopped for lunch in Cumberland. I then started to work my way back towards Pittsburgh, stopping by the Wisp Ski resort for the tallest SOTA peak in Maryland at 3091 feet: Marsh Hill. This was the middle of the ski season, so I did some “creative” hiking to get out of the way of all the skiiers and snowboarders.

I walked around the “Adventure Sports Center” cabin towards the whitewater course. The rapids were obviously closed for the winter season, but there were a few trails around here that felt like an unobtrusive place to set up. I hunkered down into the snow, which was a bit over a foot deep, in a small wooded area. I strapped the AX1 vertical to a tree and worked 22 QSOs, all on 20m.

These are probably going to be the easiest 10 (+3 winter bonus) SOTA points I’ll ever earn! I continued on for a return activation of W3/PT-011 Pondfield 2 Benchmark, rounding out the day with three SOTA peaks and a daily haul of 35 points, a new record for me!

Trailhead: 39.547121, -79.3714821 : Wisp resort parking lot
Map: [AA3TZ SOTA]
Route: A quarter of a mile into the woods in the whitewater area
POTA: None

W3/WE-002 Dans Rock

Dan’s Rock is the high point of Allegany County in Maryland, at 2894 feet. It’s the peak of Dans Mountain, and a tremendously popular place to paint rocks. I went here to start a day of a couple of activations in the Cumberland, Maryland area. I was the only one here on a cold January morning.

I walked up the green scaffolding to get to the spectacular overlook. There was still snow on the rocks. I dusted the snow off a convenient bench at the top and wrapped my antenna tripod along the railing. The AX1 is truly a versatile antenna, and made it a snap to get set up! A couple did come up onto the observation platform for a few pictures, and then left quickly due to the cold winds.

The wind was harsh, but I stuck around for 17 QSOs, including DX on 20m: F4WBN and F6EAZ in France, and two S2S on 15m: AD5A on W5A/MA-001 Magazine Mountain and N7CW on W7A/CS-038 Beacon Hill.

I had considered trying to make this a combined SOTA/POTA activation by staying in Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area (US-7767) on the way up, but I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to operate from the top of the rock. Maybe next time!

The activation zone is roughly bounded by the 860m contour. There is a small overlap of the AZ with POTA site US-7767 Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area, highlighted in yellow. Perhaps there’s a good spot in here for a POTA/SOTA activation!

Trailhead: 39.58171, -78.89811 : Parking pad by radio towers
Map: [AA3TZ SOTA] [Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area Map]
Route: A couple minutes walking up stairs. The parking spot is already in the activation zone.
POTA: Old Dans Rock Road SW passes through Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area (US-7767). The boundary of the park appears to be within the AZ, but you’d have to pick your operating point carefully.

W3/PD-001 Big Mtn

I wanted to add a second peak to my trip after bagging Snowy Mountain, but I was concerned about the building winter storm. AC3B’s trip report noted that the forest road leading to Big Mountain (the high point of the Tuscarora Mountain ridge) was wide and unexposed to steep cliffs, with plenty of opportunities to bail if needed. It also is within Buchanan State Forest, so this works as another SOTA/POTA special.

To get there, I drove west on US-30, then turned onto Augwick Rd. I followed this for a mile, then turned onto Tower Road, which is not maintained during winter and was covered in snow. I just had to take things slow and in low gear for the 2-mile drive to the summit, letting my Subaru’s AWD rise to the occasion. The road was double-track width, which was comforting (even though I didn’t pass anybody on the way up or down).

Tower Road looks like this the entire 2-mile drive up. Dear reader, the sign that says “No Winter Maintenance” was not lying! Still my low-clearance sedan with AWD made it with minimal slipping (going slow and low gear).

I parked along the small loop by the overlook and saw where the Tuscarora Trail continues north through the woods. The vista point must be great in clear weather, but all I could see today was a gray haze. I took in the view, setting up on the stone bench while opting to operate while standing. There was a security camera making sure that nobody would spray graffiti onto the rocks. By now, the flakes were coming down thick and making everything wet. I was thankful for the AX1’s rapid and painless set up.

I picked up 11 contacts in just about 15 minutes, including a S2S with WW4D on Cedar Creek Mountain (W4C/US-029). My notepad was starting to soak with the heavy precipitation and I decided to pack it in.

Trailhead: 39.92892, -77.95549 : The intersection of Augwick Road and Tower Road, just north of US-30
Map: [AA3TZ SOTA] – For the driving track along Tower Road
Route: Drive-on along 2-mile forest road (no winter maintenance, but relatively easy drive as forest roads go)
POTA: Buchanan State Forest (US-5463)

As I was leaving, this sign for Cowans Gap State Park beckoned me to continue north on Augwick Road for a POTA chaser, just 4 miles away. I set up in a picnic shelter near Parking Lot #2, not far from the park office. I could relax a bit and enjoy drier conditions for a bit.

Now that I’m accumulating PA state parks and forests, I feel like I should try to visit/activate them all: 124 parks and 20 forests!

W3/PD-007 Snowy Mountain

I went in Gettysburg, PA for a personal mini-retreat after the semester’s first week wrapped. A winter storm was coming through, so I tried to get an early start to tackle a group of SOTA/POTA sites. This my first time trying out the AX1 portable vertical antenna for quicker set up and pack up process than putzing around with my arborist’s throw line and end fed wire. Snowy Mountain in Michaux State Forest was first on the list.

I did not want to drive up snowy forest roads, so I decided to hike in along the Appalachian Trail. I parked at the trailhead on PA 233, which has room for a couple cars. Shortly into the hike, the AT briefly continues along Swamp Rd, then winds on through the forest.

A runner mysteriously materialized, and somehow passed me twice during the 1.6 mile hike. I also saw a hawk carry a squirrel away for a meal. Other than those wildlife sightings, it was a serene and quiet winter hike.

The last half of the hike came with 500 feet of climb. At the end, a powerline cut crosses over with the AT, and a short segment of the Caramba Trail continues due south to the peak, where a couple radio towers stand. The trail appears to be just inside in the activation zone, but I opted to set up about 50 feet up the path to the summit where I found a rock to sit on. At this point, the snow was really coming down in large, wet flakes, so I was eager to get started.

The AX1 worked well! I was spotted quickly on 20m and made 11 contacts in about 20 minutes. By then, everything was starting to get wet and full of snow. Packing up was where the AX1 really shined, with the whole kit stowed away in just a couple minutes.

Trailhead: 39.84973, -77.50879 : Appalachian Trailhead Parking: PA 233 Rocky Mountain Rd
Maps: [AA3TZ SOTA] [Michaux State Forest Map]
Route: 3.2 mi out-and-back, following the Appalachian Trail
POTA: Appalachian National Scenic Trail (US-4556); Michaux State Forest (US-5471)

Mont Alto State Park (US-1386) is just over 3 miles down PA 233, so I added this POTA activation to the trip. Mont Alto is the oldest PA state park, and started (as many PA parks in this area) as an iron furnace. The main feature here was a large picnic pavilion (formerly a carousel house) that was an ideal place to set up. I worked this one a little longer due to the shelter keeping things dry, and logged 40 QSOs on 20m CW before calling it quits.

It was on to the next peak: Big Mountain.

W3/SV-005 Wills Mtn

This was my last SOTA activation of 2024, in late December. I was avoiding going out due to rifle season, but now that that was over, it was time for one more radio hike. Wills Mountain is a ridge that extends north-south between Pennsylvania and Maryland, located in PA State Game Land 48. You have your choice of two roads when driving there: PA-96/Hyndman Road goes along the west side of the ridge, while US-220 goes along the east side. There appear to be many ways up, though trail options are limited from the PA-96 side, which is the road I happened to use.

I turned onto Milligans Cove Road to get into the game lands and stopped at a small parking area by a gated dirt road. Here the game lands are divided in two by private property, and going any farther would have gotten me into needless trespassing. I did not have to pass through any gates to get here, so this route should be open outside of hunting season.

The first mile of the hike was a series of switchbacks up for 550 feet of elevation gain. The trail flattened out for a half mile, then it was another 400 feet of climb until mile 2. Here is a parking area that is open during hunting season, and would be a great place to park, but you have to approach from the east US-220 side of the mountain ridge.

After this, the hike followed the Wills Mountain ridge for 2 miles. From here, I had a cool breeze. This is a controlled burn area, so there are some wonderful views of the surrounding hills in the cleared parts. At the summit are plenty of trees for throwing up wires.

Views of Evitts Mountain from the ridge.

Since this was one of the last days for the 2024 10m SOTA challenge, I started on 10m, picking up some DX: F4WBN, IK5DAK, and M1EYP/P on G/SP-015 The Cloud. I also worked WN2G S2S on W3/PW-038 Jefferson County Highpoint on 40m, which is on my to-do list of nearby SOTA peaks. I did not linger too much longer since I was hearing continuous hunting fire in the distance (or perhaps it was a shooting range), so I wrapped with 14 QSOs.

I had planned to follow this up with an activation of nearby W3/SV-006 Martin Hill, but I had to rush back for dinner plans, so that became a POTA activation of Buchanan State Forest instead. I’ll be back!

Trailhead: 39.87622, -78.66157 : State Game Land 048 parking area. (39.86477, -78.65392 is another parking area open during hunting season that cuts off 4 miles RT.)
Map: [AA3TZ SOTA] [PA 048 State Game Lands Map]
Route: 8 mile out-and-back hike, first half along dirt road denoted “Special Trails” on the SGL map, then second half on an unimproved gravel road.
POTA: PA 048 State Game Land (US-8747)

W3/PW-013 Riansares Mtn

Riansares Mountain in Bald Eagle State Forest was my second drive-on peak of the day as I worked my way back west towards Pittsburgh from the Sate College area. I exited I-80 W to PA-477 south, then took a sharp right turn up Pepper Run Road towards Low Place Road and eventually Riansares Road, the gravel road that takes you to the top. There is a great vista point on the north side of the mountain on the way up, definitely worth a stop.

There are a number of radio towers and a mysterious cabin (uninhabited? but in great shape!) at the top. I walked along the Winter Trail into the woods behind the tower for a tenth of the mile to find a tree to toss my wire over. I just operated on 10m and got pretty much only DX: F6CEL, SQ9IDE, IK6BAK/P S2S on I/MC-124, OE6GND, EA1AER, EI3HA, OK4SU, F8DSN, EA3GNU, EC5CSW, EA2DT, G4TGJ/P S2S on G/NP-028, all on CW. Any activation with two Trans-Atlantic S2S contacts is a very good activation! I even worked DF5LMD and G4OBK on 10m SSB.

As I walked back to my car, I saw about 15 horses tied to the fence around the radio tower with well-crafted saddles. As I went back down the road, I drove by a party of Amish men that had stopped at the vista point.

Here is the map of the area. I’ve added a hike up the Boiler Trail suggested by N3TWM, which would leave you on the west side of Riansares Road.

Red track marks my “hike” away from the cabin on Winter Trail. The orange is the 2.4 mile hike up Boiler Trail and Mount Riansares Road proposed by N3TWM.

POTA: Bald Eagle State Forest (US-5462)
Trailhead: 41.05148, -77.37982 : Parked near the cabin off of Mount Riansares Road
Maps: [AA3TZ SOTA]
Route: About 2 miles driving on forest roads, then a tenth of a mile walk onto Winter Trail. For more fun, walk up the Boiler Trail from Low Place Road (2.4 miles one-way), as suggested by N3TWM.

W3/PW-030 Jumbo Benchmark

I decided to add a couple quick SOTA activations at the end of my fall break trip to State College, and Jumbo Benchmark was first on the docket. I headed east on I-80 before dawn towards Tiadaghton State Forest. The morning autumn light started to break as I turned onto Sand Spring Road, a gravel forest road. There is a junction about a half mile in, where I turned south onto Krape Road (following N3TWM’s trip report), which climbs up into the AZ.

I found a shoulder to pull over onto; there are several parking spots like this along Krape Road. I walked a bit into the woods and got set up. I got some nice DX on 10m, including two S2S: MW0IDX, EA1AER, MW0LEP/P S2S on GW/SW-025, HB0EVF/P S2S on HB/VS-239. Wrapped up on 20m and 40m for a total of 13 QSOs in 20 min. Kept this one quick and short since I had a lot of driving ahead that day!

The Mid State Trail passes through nearby, so this summit could be a short detour on a longer backpacking trip.

Trailhead: 41.08302, -77.21094 : Side of Krape Road
Maps: [AA3TZ SOTA]
Route: 1.6 mile drive on forest roads (Sand Spring Road to Krape Road), then a hundred foot walk into woods.
POTA: Tiadaghton State Forest (US-5477)

W3/PW-071 Sandy Ridge

For the second half of fall break, I took a drive to State College to peep at leaves and do some more SOTA. I stopped by Sandy Ridge in State Game Lands 33 in Centre County, driving south along Sandy Ridge Trail road from US-322. After 4 miles of easy gravel road driving, I was in the activation zone.

Entrance to Sandy Ridge Trail from US-322.

Hunters wear orange — so should you! Many trails go deeper into the game lands from Sandy Ridge Trail.

The road was straight and easy to drive on, though a bit narrow for when I had to pass a few trucks.

I had never worked from a game land before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Since it was early October, it wasn’t yet rifle hunting season. I still wore blaze orange and did my best to not appear grouse-like (honestly, good policy most of the year). I used a throw line to get my end fed up into a nearby tree in the parking area.

The sunspots pulled me into a fugue-like state and I operated for one hour, notching 53 QSOs. Ten meters was crazy. I got a bunch of DX: G4OOE/P on Bishop Wilton Wold (G/TW-004), DL2DXA, DL1HBT, IK4IDF, SQ9IDE, DL1FU, DL1AX, SM0GJN, SP9FMP, OK1KT, EA2BD, CT1HIX, MW0IDX, EA4R, and SV2OXS. Incredible!

Trailhead: 40.841634, -78.132874 : Sandy Ridge Trail and US-322
Map: [AA3TZ SOTA] – Driving track along Sandy Ridge Trail
Route: Drive-on via 4-mile gravel road, good condition
POTA: PA 033 State Game Land (US-8732)