McQuaid Butte (W0C/SP-019) is a 9043-foot mountain near our cabin in Park County. Joyce/K0JJW and I activated it for Summits On The Air (SOTA) way back in 2013 but for some reason, we had not been back to it. The access road (Salt Creek Road, FS 435) is gated closed from January 1 to June 15 to protect wildlife habitat, so I suppose that is a factor.
Today, we decided to make a return trip to the summit and activate it on VHF/UHF. I remembered that Salt Creek Road can turn into a muddy mess but today it was dry and easily drivable with most vehicles. Salt Creek Road is accessed from Highway 285, south of Fairplay but north of Antero Junction.
There is a good parking spot shown on the map above at 38.95791, -106.00790. A trail begins here, heading east. It used to be 4WD road but it is now closed to motor vehicles. This trail/road heads east and then curves to the north and eventually disappears. About that time, you’ll encounter a fence that needs to be crossed as you make your way towards the summit (approaching from the west). There are pieces of a trail here and there but its mostly bushwacking up the side of the summit. In places, there is substantial downed timber that can be stepped over and around but its mildly annoying.
Our route turned out to be 1.3 miles one way with 650 vertical feet. We both quickly made enough QSOs to qualify for activator points, working W0BV, KD0MRC, K0MGL, WZ0N on 2m FM (and some on 70 cm). The weather was excellent, resulting in a fun SOTA activation in the Pike National Forest.
We will probably return again to this summit because it’s a nice hike that is easy to get to from our cabin. It would also be a great choice for someone passing through on Highways 24 or 285.
73 Bob K0NR
Updated 06 July 2024:
We have been back to McQuaid Butte again and have refined the route a bit. As time has passed, the trail is starting to take shape, at least part of the way. The route is not that critical but these notes may make it just a little bit easier.
Follow the old road, now a trail, from the parking location. It will curve around to the north and pretty much fade out. At this point, you should see the fence line that runs roughly east/west. Follow this fence line, walking on the south side. At some point, you need to jump the fence. There is a noticeable path on the other side of the fence which indicates where most people crossover. Keep walking along the fence line (on the north side), following the worn path that later turns north. The trail is very established here and easy to follow. Later it fades a bit but you should be able to follow it. Leave the trail somewhere around the marked waypoint (McQuaid – leave trail, 38.96536, -106.00255). Hike off-trail to the summit..it will get steeper and there is downed timber but not too bad.
Sounds like a great way to spend some time outdoors! I appreciate you sharing these little snippets of the hobby with us.
Last night’s W0TLM net question was “who inspired/inspires you in ham radio?” Several of us said you, partly because of how you get outside to use your radio.
Jeff,
Thank you! You made my day.
I try to follow the Noise Blankers mission statement:
Do radio stuff.
Have fun doing it.
Show people just how fun it is.
https://www.noiseblankers.com/team/
Haha – I like that!
I checked into the net from a ridgeline on the backside of Mt Herman, waiting for the full moon to rise so I could get some pictures. That’s the kind of ham I like.