Activation Date: 3 June 2017
Transport: Hike	Distance: 2.6 miles
Elev. gain: 600ft	Time: 1.5 hours
Rig(s): FT-817, VX-2R	Band(s): 40m, 20m SSB
Antenna(s): Linked dipole, 12.5 inch flex whip
Cell Service: Marginal (T-Mobile)
Parking: Schulman Grove Visitor Center, $3 per person, max $6 per car
Trailhead: Schulman Grove Visitor Center, south side
Fees/Permits: None
Route: Mexican Mine trail, cross-country
Dogs: Yes	Toilet: Yes

This was the first of two summits for this day. I originally had more ambitious plans, but as covered in my post on the other unnamed peak (10940), I had limited access to the summits here in the White Mountains.  Also, with the elevation and some minor stomach issues, I wasn’t feeling super energetic. I did get an early start to the day, heading up to “Sierra View” to enjoy breakfast while watching the sun rise, casting a golden glow on the Eastern Sierras.  I arrived at the visitor center bright and early, parking right near the trailhead for the Mexican Mine trail.  This trail would take me pretty close to the destination peak — unnamed peak 10660, or referred to on some maps as “Mexican Mine Peak.”

Getting there

The Schulman Grove Visitor Center is right before the paved part White Mountain Road turns to dirt. It’s a very obvious turn—I believe there are even signs.

The climb

The trail climbs very gradually for the first mile, taking you past the ruins of former lead, zinc, and silver mines and associated cabins. I took my time and enjoyed the hike, looking at the ruins and enjoying views of the Eastern Sierras.

At about the 1-mile mark, I left the trail to head straight up the hill to the peak.  It was steep, but manageably so.  Before long, I was up on the summit.  There appeared to be another peak about 50-100 yards away that may have been slightly higher, but this north peak was the one designated for SOTA, so I set up my SOTABeams dipole and got comfortable.

Operation

With a marginal cell signal, I was able to get a self-spot out on the SOTA Goat app, and get down to business.  I had a great time completing 6 QSOs on 20m, then another 3 on 40m.

I didn’t go back the way I came, since I wanted to see more of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.  I went along the summit ridge to the north, and descended down to the east side of the ridge back onto the trail, which took me to the Methuselah loop trail.  What an amazing place!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get many still photos. I mostly have video, which you can see by clicking on one of the images above.

Map:

Download file: activity_1784367806 (1).gpx

 

Activation log:

Time	Call	Band	Mode
16:21z	W0ERI	14MHz	SSB
16:23z	WA2USA	14MHz	SSB
16:23z	N1GB	14MHz	SSB
16:24z	W7RV	14MHz	SSB
16:25z	K7RJ	14MHz	SSB
16:26z	W5BOS	14MHz	SSB
16:34z	AE9F	7MHz	SSB
16:39z	W6NIK	7MHz	SSB
16:41z	KX6A	7MHz	SSB