W1 SOTA Campout 2023
Thursday June 1st to Monday June 5th, 2023
Update May 30, 2023:
Most WX forecasts for Twin Mountain, NH indicate possible showers/thunderstorms on Friday, otherwise OK. I’ll set up some canopies for rain protection at the pot luck dinner on Friday at Campsite 18. Hot temps on Thursday but cooling down for activating during campout!
NOAA forecast below:
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Friday A chance of showers before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
The following are planning to attend the W1 SOTA Campout 2023:
Ed K1RID Site 10; Rob WC1N and John WI1G Site 11; KC1MXB Jonathan “JB” Site 7; Andy, N4LAG & Debbie KQ4IAM Site 13; Eric VA2EO Site 8; Chris KG6CIH Site 12; Sylvain VA2YZX Site 20; Fred WX1S Site 22; John N1PTX site 10; Marc AA1F and Mindy KM1NDY Site 3; Simon VA2NM site 3 at Sugarloaf 2; Mike WB2FUV Site 8; Bob AC1Z and Paul N1ZF Site 18. Emails from QRZ.
Itinerary:
Thursday June 1st Site 18 : initial meet for snacks and drinks with SOTA conversation around the campfire. Share your SOTA activation plans with the group. Share activation photos, gear, maps, etc. with the group.
Friday June 2nd Site 18 : Activating SOTA Summits during the day! Pot Luck Dinner starting at 6PM. Bring a food dish, snack or drink, utensils, etc. to share! Email a reply back to this group if you plan to attend and/or what you plan to bring if you like and I’ll put out a summary list!
Responses to date:
Friday Potluck Dinner:
Debbie, KQ4IAM, Andy N4LAG -Pasta Bolognese; John N1PTX - Pasta dish and a dessert of some kind;
Mary N1RKO; Simon VA2NM- Homebrew banana cakes; Paul N1ZF TBD; Mike WB2FUV -Fruit and Italian Bread; Jonathan “JB” KC1MXB- Potato Salad; Bob AC1Z – Grilled Italian Sausage and/or Shaved Steak with Peppers/Onions on a role.
Saturday June 3rd : More activating of SOTA Summits during the day! Eat out at the Wayside Restaurant 3738 Main Street Route 302, Bethlehem, New Hampshire at 5:30PM Saturday June 3rd - located only 13 minutes from the Sugarloaf 2 Campground.
Please email me to let me know if you plan to join the group for dinner at The Wayside Restaurant
Responses to date for the Wayside Restaurant:
Debbie KQ4IAM; Andy N4LAG; Bob WC1N; John WI1G; Jonathan “JB” KC1MXB; Mary N1RKO; Simon VA2NM; Mike WB2FUV; Paul N1ZF; Bob AC1Z
Sunday June 4th: More activating of SOTA Summits**. Last meeting for snacks and drinks with SOTA conversation around the campfire.**
Notes:
*The Sugarloaf 2 Campground has limited cell and no Wi Fi service but there is cell in Twin Mountain, other nearby spots and on several summits.
*I received notice that the water faucets are not working at the campground but according to a Ranger I talked to, there is water available from a pump. Bringing bottled water is suggested.
*Suggested VHF frequencies for campout 146.55, 146.58 and 146.52 FM
*Fuel and supplies available at YAYA’s Market and Deli, 130 Rt N 3, Twin Mountain, NH about 6 minutes from campground
This will be the 6th Annual W1 SOTA Campout! It is an opportunity for those who participate in or have interest in the “Summits on the Air” SOTA program to meet each other, have conversation, learn and activate SOTA summits in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Location: Sugarloaf 2 Campground Jefferson, NH 03583 GPS Coordinates: 44.25806, -71.50444
This is a rustic campground that has both tent and small RV sites.
Closest Towns: Twin Mountain, NH
Water: Handpump
Restroom: Vault Toilets
Directions: From the junction of NH Rte 3 and NH Rte 302 in Twin Mountain, go east on Rte 302 for 2 miles. Turn right onto Zealand Road (at the Zealand Campground sign). The campground is 0.6 miles on the right. There is a camp host but I have just gone to the site you reserved and found a note at the site with my name on it. No need to “check in”.
Some SOTA Summits near Sugarloaf 2 Campground
All suggested trails are designated and maintained except as noted. Other trails to summits are possible.
Listed in order of driving time from campground - source: Google maps:
Mt. Hale – W1/HA-157-10 points – 8 minute Drive to Hale Brook Trailhead – Hale Brook Trail 2.2 miles to summit 4054ft. - Elevation Gain 2200ft -No view at summit but large open area where a tower was easy to set up antenna.
Mt Field -W1-HA-018-10 points - 11 min drive to parking lot next to AMC Highland Center Trailhead across railroad tracks - Avalon trail 2.7 miles to summit 4340 ft. -Elevation Gain 2640 ft. – View at lookout and small open area for antenna.
Mt. Martha-W1/HA-020- 6 points – 12 minute drive to Cherry Mtn Trail 1.8mile hike to summit 3563 ft. – Elevation Gain 1800 ft. – Open area at summit with nice view of Mt. Washington.
Mt Washington-W1/HA-001- 10 points – 17 minute drive to Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead - Ammonoosuc Ravine and Crawford Path Trails total 4.5 mile hike to summit 6288 ft. – Elevation Gain 3750 ft. – This is one of many trails to open rock summit. Can also take the Cog Railway or drive up for a fee.
Mt. Garfield-W1/HA-095-10 points -17minute drive to Garfield trailhead 4.8 mile hike to summit 4500 ft. – Elevation Gain 3000 ft. – Great view at summit easy to set up.
South twin-W1/HA-022- 10 Points – 21minute drive to Gale River Trailhead - Gale River and Garfield Ridge trails 5.6 miles to summit 4902 ft. – elevation Gain 3300 ft. – Great views stop at the AMC Galehead Hut for water break.
Stairs Mtn-W1/HA-214- 6 points – 20 minute drive to parking lot at GPS 44.1185 -71.3546 Davis Path 4 miles and short off trail to summit 3463 ft. – Elevation Gain 2500 ft.
Mt Nancy-W1/HA-061- 8 points – 21 minute drive to Nancy Pond Trailhead 44.1043 -71.3525 – Nancy Pond trail to Norcross Pond then take a rough non-maintained trail to summit 3926 ft.- elevation Gain 2900 ft. – Long day hike I camped overnight at Norcross Pond.
Cannon Mt.-W1/HA-113- 10 points – 22 minute drive to trailhead or Tramway. Kinsman Ridge Trail 2.0miles to summit 4100 ft. – Elevation Gain 2100 ft. - Tramway takes you to restaurant and a short hike to summit. Lookout tower and lots of antennas make it a bit noisy on some bands.
See info and fees at: www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/aerial-tramway.aspx
Mt Tremont – W1/HA-019 - 6 points – Park along the side of Route 302 pull offs at approximate GPS 44.076162, -71.337735 Trailhead sign on south side of highway about 2.8 mile hike Elevation 3371ft with over 2500ft of Elevation Gain.
Mt. Lafayette -W1/HA-002-10 points – 30 min. drive - 10 Points - Elevation: 5260ft Elevation Gain: about 3350ft. Great 360 views from open rocky summit. Trailhead at Lafayette Place parking lot: GPS 44.141649, -71.683309 about a 30 minute drive from campground. Hike on the Old Bridle Path for 3.1 miles to the AMC Greenleaf Hut then the Greenleaf Trail for 1.1 miles to summit. Hike back the same way roundtrip: 8.4 miles. You can hike back the same way or if you are in for a longer hike the Franconia Ridge Trail to the Lincoln and Little Haystack summits and descend back to parking lot and campground via the Falling Waters trail. Total 9 mile hike.
Prospect Mountain -W1/HA-067 – 30 min. drive – 1 point – Elevation 2077ft Elevation Gain: about 700ft. Can drive to summit on Weeks State Park road if open. Otherwise hike on trail or walk on road. Google Park info online.
Pine Mountain – W1/HA-106 – 40 min. drive – 1 point – Elevation Gain: about 800ft. Park at Pine Mountain Trailhead GPS 44.353929, -71.231564.