Grid Square CN97

This page - Kings Lake Road - Ridge Near S. Prairie Creek - Chelan Butte - Snoqualmie Ridge - High Rock Road - I-90 Indian John - Tronson Ridge - Whiskey Dick - Keechelus Ridge - Quartz Mtn - Cle Elum Ridge - CN86-87-96-97 - Suntop Lookout - Badger Mt - Lion Rock/Table Mountain - Mirrormont - Highland Drive - Mission Peak

A list of VHF rover sites in Washington's grid CN97. Be careful.
Hover mouse over a map marker for more about the grid and site.

Kings Lake Road, CN97at92

Near city of Monroe, Snohomish County, WA, Altitude 1400
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2013-03-01
Comments by: Darryl WW7D

This is a reasonably high CN97 spot near the NW margin of the grid.

The dirt road is a branch off of King (or Kings) Lake road. It takes a bit of work to get the vehicle level.

Driving directions: From the Monroe-Duvall road:
- Head East on Cherry Valley road.
- It becomes Lake Frontal Road.
- Just after Kayak Lake Road (on the right) turn left onto Kings Lake Road.
- After 0.2 miles, take the left fork in the road
- Go about 0.4 miles to an area where you can pull over next to a private road.

Restrictions: There are high tension power lines within a half mile.

Ridge Near S. Prairie Creek, CN97ab65

Near city of Wilkeson, Pierce County, WA, Altitude 3100
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2013-03-01
Comments by: Darryl WW7D

Spectacular and fairly accessible spot that overlooks much of the Puget Sound region.

This is a great spot to hit after working out of CN86, CN96, and CN87 on Mowich Lake Road. The road is a little rough in spots, but is doable by a small passenger car.

Driving directions: From Wilkeson, turn East on Railroad Ave.
- From this point, you are 9 miles from your destination and it will take about 30 minutes to get there.
- Turn right onto Snell Lake road.
- At the end of the road, turn right onto S Prarie Creek road.
- This becomes NF-7710.
- After 3 miles, the road forks into NF-7720 (left) and NF-7710-2 (right).
- Take the right fork and follow it another 4.4 miles.
- You will be a bit over 3,000' high with a peak to your right.
- Look for a small road on the right (NF-410) that heads uphill.
- Take that road to a small flat clearing with a fire pit in the middle.

Chelan Butte, CN97xt53

Near city of Chelan, Chelan County, WA, Altitude 3800
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2005-06-19
Source: Mike K7MDL 2005 ARRL June VHF QSO Party
Comments by: Mike K7MDL

In CN97 on Chelan Butte to start the contest. Great views of eastern Washington shared with the local hang gliders that fly into the Columbia River Basin below. View is south towards I-90 mountain pass corridor with Seattle over the mountains to the right more. Microwave towers are located on another rise not far off but far enough away to cause no problems.

Snoqualmie Ridge, CN97bm48

Near city of Snoqualmie, King County, WA, Altitude 920
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2006-09-16
Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations CN97
Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

Subdivision under construction. North of I-90 and Highway 18 intersection.

This site is about five minutes from the I-90/Highway 18 intersection. It has good VHF exposure to the north, south, and east, but is marginal above 432. It is a good idea to take compass headings from this location because I-90 runs NW/SW and is a poor reference point.

Driving directions: From I-90 take Snoqualmie Ridge exit
- Go north approximately two miles
- From Highway 18, cross I-90 and go north approximately two miles
- This area is under constant construction
- You may have to wander around a bit to find a good operating site
- One of the better sites is an open lot under the power lines near the central part of the business area

High Rock Road, CN97at62

Near city of Monroe, King County, WA, Altitude 710
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2006-09-06
Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations CN97
Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

This is a logging landing on Highway 203 between Preston and Monroe.

The entrance is gated, but someone lives further down the road, so it will likely be open. There are high tension lines about 150 yards south, but they did not give Lynn any trouble during the June 2001 contest. This site had an excellent path to the west and north.

There are two roadside locations just before you get to this site, so if the gate is closed, try one.

Driving directions: From Highway 203 south of Monroe go up Cherry Valley Road approximately 1 mile.
- Start looking for pull-offs just past the intersection with High Rock Road.

I-90 Indian John, CN97nd88

Near city of Cle Elum, Kittatas County, WA, Altitude 2141
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2001-08-23
Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations CN97
Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

Indian John Rest Area. I-90 eastbound and westbound, mile 89. Good exposure east west and north. Ridge approx 1 mile south blocking UHF.

Tronson Ridge, CN97rj04

Near city of Wenatchee, Chelan County, WA, Altitude 4640
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2006-09-16
Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations CN97
Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

This is a mountain top ridge near Blewett Pass. There is a great shot both east and west. The north view is a little blocked by dirt, but south is pretty clear.

Driving directions: I-90 East, exit 85 near Cle Elum
- Follow US 97 over Blewett Pass
- Five miles from the summit take Forest Service road FS 7224. (marked as "5 Mill Road")
- Follow the road about 3.2 miles, avoid all side roads and you pop out at the top of the ridge

Whiskey Dick, CN97va36

Near city of Vantage, Kittitas County, WA, Altitude 3500
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2012-05-20
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Whiskey Dick Mountain is in the south-eastern corner of CN97 with good altitude and not very far from I-90.

This location offers the attractive possibility of some kind of grid-circling in contests. There's a nearby spot in CN96 in the wind farm hills or at the Rye Grass rest stop, and DN06/DN07 are just east on the other side of the Columbia River.

Keechelus Ridge, CN97ii33

Near city of Snoqualmie, Kittatas County, WA, Altitude 4960
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2011-08-28
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

This is an excellent location with views in all directions. A large microwave tower occupies the central area and a rough but drivable road rings the installation.

Recommend to use a vehicle with good ground clearance as the dirt road is very rocky in places. The track from bottom top is 5.3 miles, 20 minutes and gains 3,260' of altitude.

Driving directions:

• I-90 exit 62 - "Stampede Pass, Kachess Lake"
• Turn north, follow paved road 1.7 miles
• Turn left on Forest Road 4934 opposite sign "Lodge Creek Estates"
• Go 4.4 miles to four-way intersection with FR 126 (unmarked)
• Turn right onto FR 126
• Go 0.3 miles, keep left at Y intersection with FR 122
• Follow roads that go up (not down) about 1 mile

Restrictions: A Discover Pass is required to use this spot. No services - bring your own water and supplies.

Quartz Mtn, CN97kb08

Near city of Cle Elum, Kittatas County, WA, Altitude 6300
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2011-08-28
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Quartz Mountain is a a 6,000' peak about 10 miles south of Cle Elum. It is reached from I-90 Exit 93 "Elk Heights Rd", relatively near Seattle. An excellent site, reached by about 29 miles of dirt roads, but you can probably drive your daily grocery-getter car to the top. There are considerable forest service roads which are usually in excellent condition.

Driving directions: I-90 Exit 93 "Elk Heights Rd"
- Forest service road 3300
- Forest service road 3100 but it may be washed out

You can also enter from Thorp and go up Taneum Creek.
- Look for Buck Meadows
- Follow FS 3120 and go to FS 3100
- It will take you to Quartz and Frost Mountains

Cle Elum Ridge, CN97lf85

Near city of Cle Elum, Kittatas County, WA, Altitude 2580
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Last update: 2011-08-28
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Cle Elum Ridge is high above the city of Cle Elum an hour east of Seattle. This ridge is just north of the I-90 freeway. It is said to have a great eastern exposure for working HF contests and plenty of trees for supporting long wire and dipole antennas.

Does anyone know how to drive up to the north ridge? I tried several forest service roads from Roslyn and Ronald, to no avail. They were all gated or posted "no motor vehicles". I joined the weak signal net from a cul-de-sac in a newer housing development from Hwy 903, but VHF propagation was very poor. Apparently there is no direct signal path to anywhere; my best results to Kirkland were by reflecting off the south ridge. I did, however, contact KC7I in CN84 around Corvallis, OR, about 210 miles SW.

Not far away, on the south side of I-90, are Quartz Moutain and South Cle Elum Ridge, which offers some additional altitude. Better yet is Keechelus Ridge at 6,000'.

CN86-87-96-97, CN97aa00

Near city of Carbonado, Lewis County, WA, Altitude 1600
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2011-10-01
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

I wonder if there are enough roads in this remote area near Mt Rainier to support grid square circling?

One report shows hams camped on Poch Peak south of Carbonado for the June 2004 VHF contest.

Suntop Lookout, CN97ea89

Near city of Mt Rainier, Pierce County, WA, Altitude 5270
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2012-06-27
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

In the Mt Rainier National Park is a lofty lookout long used for forest fire spotting. It is now manned by volunteers and you can drive almost to the top at the 5,000' level. Visitors are welcomed at the lookout. This is a great spot to operate a portable radio or have a picnic.

Camping is not allowed, but could be done with a permit. Stopping or parking at Suntop requires a Discover Pass; buy it in advance from a sporting goods store or other outlet.

There is an outhouse and picnic tables near the watch tower. Be careful of wildlife, as bears and deer are common.

Driving directions: Go east from Enumclaw on Highway 410
- Go south on Forest Road 73 about 1.4 miles
- Turn left onto Forest Service Road 7315 about five miles up a fairly steep dirt road
- Watch for road hazards; snow and fallen trees can happen year-round
- The road is closed one-half mile from the top, so be ready for a steep climb. Unfortunately the parking area by that gate does not have good radio propagation.

Badger Mt, CN97vo90

Near city of Wenatchee, Douglas County, WA, Altitude 3500
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2011-06-02
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Recommended by a ham in Wenatchee. The ski hill top is located at an elevation of 3,500 feet about 700 feet down from the top of Badger Mtn on the east slope, so there's no VHF path to the west with all of Seattle's VHF activity. But it's easy to reach from Wenatchee and has good path to Spokane and Coeur d'Alene.

However, it's not the best location: It has no path to the West because it's at approximately 3,500', which is about 1,000' down from the Badger Mtn summit facing East. (There's no place to set up and operate from the top of Badger.) Also, there's a ridge line from ESE that connects into the mountain on over to the NW. That position does work well into the Spokane area, however. But there's very little VHF activity in the generally eastward direction unless there's rover activity.

Lion Rock/Table Mountain, CN97rg00

Near city of Ellensburg, Kittatas County, WA, Altitude 6200
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2006-09-16
Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations CN97
Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

This is a popular astronomy site, and even has a webpage! There is a paved road up most of the mountain. It is single lane with frequent pull-offs and is frequently navigated by RVs and motor homes. There are three good operating locations in this area.

• Table Mountain: N47.250833 W120.57755, CN97rg, 6200'
  To get to this location, drive to the "T" at the top of the road. Go left about 1/4 mile and look for a grove of evergreens to the south. There is a road going to this location and lots of room. This location gives you an excellent exposure to the south and east and an OK exposure to the west. Unfortunately Lion Rock is to the west and blocks the path.
  
• Lion Rock: N47.25241667 W120.58565, CN97qg, 6300'
  To get to Lion Rock, go past the Table Mountain Location and follow the Lion Rock signs. The road has recently been improved, but is still rough with a lot of sharp rocks. The operating location has an excellent exposure in all directions. It is a popular camping site, so you may have company.
  
• Table Mt. Road: N47.2355667 W120.5659833, CN97rf
  Lynn spotted this location during the September VHF contest. It is about two miles south of the "T" on the road up the hill and at 5950' is only about 250' below the Table Mountain location. It has an excellent exposure to the west.
  

Driving directions: See the list above. The road gets a bit steep in places, but should be no problem.
- Coming down can be another story, especially if you are in a heavy rig.
- The road has a lot of switchbacks, so you have to use your brakes or engine braking to control your speed.
- Frequent stops are necessary to allow your brakes to cool.

Mirrormont, CN97al01

Near city of Mirrormont, King County, WA, Altitude 780
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2011-07-24
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

On the south side of Tiger Mt is a nice hill with good exposure. The country club parking area by the tennis courts are the extreme edge of CN97. The grid square CN87-CN97 dividing line runs N-S between the two courts.

For my first time ever I had solid contact in Portland, Oregon (K7SMA, KC7I). This residential area is loaded with tall trees and a warm southern exposure toward Mt Rainier. I met Kathy a neighbor of my good friend WE7X, and Linda a local pea patch gardener.

Highland Drive, CN97an10

Near city of Issaquah, King County, WA, Altitude 980
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2011-03-27
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

My goal this trip is to get out of CN87. It so happens the border with CN97 is about two miles east. What can we find nearby?

I think I found the highest public roadway on the Sammamish Plateau at 1,022 feet (317m) among the new million-dollar homes above Highland Drive. It has a stunning panorama of Mt Baker to the north and Mt Rainier on the south. At least, it would when it's not raining and dripping everywhere.

I made five contacts including some new hams, all with good reports in the region. I heard some stations in Portland but they were buried in the noise floor and they could not copy me. Net Control said the conditions were quite bad, so I was pleased to hear Portland at all.

The eastward path was dead. Nobody could hear from Spokane at all. But I had some trees and a bit more hill behind me to the east, so I wasn't expecting anything that direction.

More things for my checklist:

• Use the iPhone's Compass app to find magnetic North.
• My lamppost tripod is unreliable on the slightest slope away from horizontal. Worse yet, it's round and rolls easily given the slightest chance.
• Look into building a mast platform that goes under the front wheel.
• It's nice to run coax through the door jamb instead of the window. Then I can close the window completely and stay warm and dry. Maybe. A drip loop is required or else the water follows the coax inside.
• There is a PNW VHF S spreadsheet online as a Google doc. It provides a useful summary of the usual suspects:
  http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AohgbnNuj9MscDRQdkRhRGNSazFwX0thYnpzV29lRkE&gid=0
• I met G4AMD/7 on the air and we had a great chat about VHF propagation. There are a lot of interesting things that can happen to VHF / UHF signals, and there is a lot of fun stuff to learn.

Mission Peak, CN97sg69

Near city of Wenatchee, Chelan County, WA, Altitude 5500
See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading
Last update: 2012-01-17
Comments by: Barry K7BWH

You can drive almost to the summit of Mission Peak. Surely there is some spot along the ridge near the top that has good propagation east and west.