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