Washington Rover Locations

A list of VHF rover sites in Washington's grid DN08. Be careful.
Hover mouse over a map marker for more about the grid and site.

Monumental Mountain, DN08xl27

Near city of Colville, Stevens County, WA, Altitude 5600

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2012-07-07

Comments by: Randy N7CKJ

An easy 45-minute drive peak southwest of Colville, in the northeast corner of DN08.

The last 100 yards to the top is gated (for communications towers), but there are several pullouts on the way up that are still about 5300 feet or higher.

Monumental is an easy drive in any vehicle. You could probably haul a trailer up for some contest operation. Randy's preference is to utilize one of the pullouts as an operating location, versus going all the way to the top (with a key). The interference from the site should be much less, at a reasonable distance from the radio towers.

Driving directions: From Colville take 395 south (from Spokane take 395 north)
- Turn west onto Orin-Rice Road
- Note Orin-Rice Road is smoother than the northern route of Gold Creek Road
- Turn right to stay on Orin-Rice Road
- Turn right onto Monumental Road
- Follow switchbacks to peak
- Find a pullout before the gate

Funk Mountain, DN08do03

Near city of Conconully, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 5122

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2003-10-03

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

This is a fire lookout with excellent exposure in all directions. It can (as of 9/03) be reached with a 2WD pickup truck. There is no radio gear or antennas at this site.

Lynn visited this site in 9/03 to scope it out for the September VHF contest. At that time the road was gated about 1/4 mile from the lookout. At that time the lookout was staffed, so I was able to get into the cab. The view was fantastic, and it would make a great operating location. There is plenty of room in the area at the base of the tower.

The tree platform is the "Old" lookout - per Teresa, the Ranger staffing the lookout, it dates back to the turn of the century. At that time the lookouts camped on top of the hill and periodically climbed the tree to look for fires.

Driving directions: Take Highway 38 NW out of Conconully and turn NE on 3810 road. It is easy to find.

Restrictions: Road is gated. Check to see if lookout is staffed to get access.

Knowlton Knob, DN08bd19

Near city of Brewster, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 3852

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2012-07-21

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

This is a DNR lookout, northwest of Brewster. The lookout is on DNR land, but it is surrounded by private land. Lynn operated the September VHF contest from the ridge just east of the lookout - he was unable to get the trailer up the final hill. I had several visitors while I was there, and they told me that the cattle rancher that owns the land surrounding the lookout often locks the gate on the road during hunting season.

The lookout is well maintained, and even has a pit toilet and a solar shower. There is a lot of room at the base of the tower for setting up equipment, tents, etc.

The route is well marked up from Brewster, right up until just before you reach the locked gate.

Driving directions: From Highway 97 in Brewster, go uphill at the Union 76 station, across from Brewster market place. The road is not marked.
- Cross the railroad tracks and go left at the power substation up Paradise Hill road.
- Go four miles to the end of the pavement.
- Go another two miles to a mailbox stand at the head of the T.
- Go right. Look for Knowlton LO signs. Go about four miles to the cattle pens.
- Look for a DNR sign. Go 200 yards, and then take another left.
- Go 1.8 miles to first Y, go left, then a half mile farther to second Y.
- Go right and then on up to the top.
- The road is passable with any pickup, and does not get steep until the hairpin switchback.

Restrictions:
7/21/2012 Update. Barry K7BWH visited this spot and confirmed it is gated off. A lame substitute is along Benson Creek Road DN08BE27. But it's not worth the drive. This is hilly terrain; there must be some good spots but I didn't find any.
8/2/2008 Update. Rex Kamstra visited the area and Gebbers Logging now has the access road sealed off at the Benson Creek Road, which is the dirt road between Twisp and Brewster. The gate has all kinds of threatening signs on it and it is locked.

Benson Creek Road, DN08be27

Near city of Brewster, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 3047

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2012-07-21

Comments by: Barry K7BWH

A short distance east of the (closed) Knowlton Knob road is this wide spot with a handy fence for guy ropes. Although it has good altitude, the surrounding trees and hills will block most directions out.

Starvation Mountain, DN08am66

Near city of Twisp, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 6700

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2003-01-05

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Rex WR7X

Nice road all the way from Loup Loup Pass on Hwy 20. Views from the ground are limited but antennas atop towers would clear the obstructing scrubby trees. Nice open areas on top.

Shielded by Granite Mtn (7400') 3 miles southeast and by Old Baldy Mtn (7800') 5 miles north.

Moses Mountain, DN08li29

Near city of Omak, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 6774

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2008-08-26

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

Rewarding operating site for those willing to punish your vehicle. Highest point on the Colville Indian Reservation. Abandoned 123' steel lookout tower on the summit (bottom stairs have been removed). Lots of scrubby trees scattered about. No neighboring peaks to interfere.

A few VHF repeaters onsite. Extremely wide-open views east to west toward the south, just miles and miles of flat ground on the horizon. Site is far enough away from the Cascades it should be relatively easy to get a signal over them.

Driving directions: Take Hwy 155 east of Omak to Moses Mountain Road.
- 4WD REQUIRED
- "Road" is really bad the last 1/3 of the way, frequent washed-out switchbacks and huge boulders
- Don't even think about towing anything behind you, you'll be lucky to get your rig up there alone

Parachute Meadows, DN08ar50

Near city of Winthrop, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 6960

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2009-04-01

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

High spot back in the brush, NE of Winthrop and west of Tonasket on Forest Road 38.

Lynn visited this site in 2005 while pulling a small 5th wheel trailer. You can get in two ways - from the Loomis/Toats Coulee area or by going north from Winthorp. Both roads are passable with a pickup truck, but are narrow in places. There are several unimproved campgrounds in the area. This area is probably busy during hunting season. Lynn camped near this location and had no trouble working into the Puget Sound area on 432 using a 12 element Yagi.

If you go to this area then you should not go alone - it is extremely isolated. Likewise, if you pull a trailer up these roads a scout car running ahead is a very good idea.

Sherman Pass, DN08so25

Near city of Republic, Ferry County, WA, Altitude 5575

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2004-01-04

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Rex WR7X

Mountain pass about 15 miles east of Republic, WA and 35 miles west of Colville.

Parking is not allowed at the pass. The pass itself is wedged between the rocks. You can park in a small pullout on the west side of the pass on the north side of the road for westerly propagation, or in a big trailhead parking lot on the northeast side of the pass for easterly propagation. North and south probably won't be too good from here with mountains on either side 6800'-7100' high. About a mile to the east of the pass is the Sherman Pass Campground.

Tunk Mountain, DN08jn11

Near city of Omak, Okanogan County, WA, Altitude 6054

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2009-04-01

Source: Lynn N7CFO PNW Rover Locations DN08

Comments by: Lynn N7CFO

This is a fire lookout northeast of Omak with excellent exposure in all directions. It can (as of 9/03) be reached with a 2WD pickup truck. There is a lot of radio gear in the area, so RF could be a problem. There is a tent pad just downhill (south) from the highest point.

Lynn visited this site in 9/03 to scope it out for the September VHF contest. He was easily able to get to the lookout, but decided that a camping trailer could not get in. This would be a great site for a multi-op.

Photos L-R: 1. View from the road looking south. 2. View from the road looking south. The PDA (Personal Dog Assistant) is Rudy. 3. View from the south looking north. This is near the tent pad.

Driving directions: There are two ways to get into Tunk. One way is via Riverside (follow the Delorme map, it is pretty easy). The other way is via Tonasket which is longer, but the roads are a lot better.
- To go via Tonasket, take Highway 20 SE from Tonasket.
- At mile 13 turn right (south) on Aeneas Valley Road (paved).
- Go approximately 2 miles to 3010 road to 3015 road.
- At the intersection of 3015 road and 200 road, turn south on 200 road.
- This intersection is at the 4500' level.
- There is a steep pull for first 1/4 mile after the intersection, but it is not as bad as it looks.
- Take the upper fork through the gate.
- This route shows up better in the Benchmark map book than in the DeLorme book.

Stensgar Mtn, DN08xe94

Near city of Deer Park, Stevens County, WA, Altitude 4226

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2012-06-09

Comments by: Barry K7BWH

After ascending Stensgar Mtn on Locke Road (a poor choice, not recommended) I managed to turn around and return just far enough to return to DN08. There was a flat spot near a switchback which provided enough room to get on the air and activate the grid for contest points. This is halfway down the mountain and only offered access to local and Spokane stations.

Miller Mountain, DN08ua00

Near city of Wellpinit, Stevens County, WA, Altitude 3115

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2012-06-09

Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Whitestone Ridge and Miller Mountain are in the grid corner near Spokane and several other peaks such as Stensgar, Bare and Jumpoff Joe. This ridge spans the gridline and lends itself well to easily work from both DN08 and DN07. I sure hope it's driveable.

Whitestone Ridge, DN08ra95

Near city of Wellpinit, Stevens County, WA, Altitude 4762

See Google map, Bing map, Mapquest, OpenStreetMap, Beam heading

Last update: 2012-06-01

Comments by: Barry K7BWH

Ham Radio