MIke's SOTA Adventures: Mt. Williamson W6/CT-011

Took a nice hike up to Mt. Williamson on Friday, October 17, 2014. I parked at Islip Saddle (34 21.427N, 117 51.062W) at about 0630 and hit the trail shortly after arriving. The weather was on the cool side and made for a nice hike. The trail head is at 34° 21.426'N 117° 51.088'W. The trail, just over two miles, is in good shape and easy to follow. The elevation to the top is about 1600'. It took me about 1:30 to get to the top, taking several breaks to catch my breath and take a few pictures along the way. There is one geocache on top and another about a quarter mile away. The return trip was 48 minutes.

As I began to climb, I turned around and could see Mt. Islip, W6/CT-10, which I activated a couple weeks ago.

Here is my first look at Mt. Williamson as I climbed the steep trail.

Roxy was taking a break as she waited for me to catch up before climbing the final stretch to the top.

There is a pile of rocks that mark the summit. There should have been a summit log, but I couldn't find it. The actual peak is somewhat bare, but there are plenty of trees within the activation zone for an antenna. Before setting up, I had a Summit to Summit on 2m with N6JZT, Hal, and NA6MG, Dan, who were on Bare Mtn. W6/CT-082.

I found some nice trees for my antenna, which I ran from north to south across the summits.

As I settled in for the activation, Roxy settled in for her customary activation nap.

There are many nice views of surrounding mountains, including SOTA summits. The first picture is Kratka Ridge W6/CT-014. The second photo, I think. is Twin Peaks W6/CT-064 (may be incorrect on the mountain). The final picture is Waterman Mtn., W6/CT-012.

There is one geocache on the summit and another cache 1/4 mile away on the other Mt. Williamson.

I was hiking back from the second cache, approaching Mt. Williamson, when I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I scanned the sky and saw a glider flying around Mt. Williamson and the surrounding valleys. Cool!