The weather in L.A. is hot, and I wanted to get on the air. I also didn’t feel like hiking in the heat, but wanted to activate a summit. Doesn’t seem like a good combination, but I had an idea for a hobby stack. Earlier in the week I spent some time pulling my dual-sport motorbike out of the weeds in the backyard, and evicting the various spiders from the motor. After a quick hose off, fluid check, and battery charge, the bike was highway ready after being neglected for so long.

I’ve been curious about summits along Hwy 14, as these appear to be drive ups, however, I don’t have a 4×4 to make it up there, but I do have a dual-sport motorcycle! I left my house and wizzed the 400cc motor for about 60 miles to the area of the summit. It was hard to find, and it took a few tries to get up there, which cost quite a bit of time. Some parts of this trail were quite steep and had me second guessing my skills on the bike, but I made it up without incident. At the summit, there is evidence of an old tower site, and a single tree which could offer a bit of shade. I started with 10M, moved to 20, then 40. Called out on 2M simplex and didn’t make any contacts there.

I attempted to activate another summit nearby, however, I was hungry, running low on water, and couldn’t easily find the trailhead so I headed home. Next time I activate a summit in this area I think I’ll load the bike in the van, then drive to a friends house in the canyons and start the ride there. Being on a small displacement bike, on the highway, in the hot sun, is quite taxing!

https://sotl.as/summits/W6/CT-153

Download file: Parker_Mountain.GPX

Date:27/08/2020 | Summit:W6/CT-153 (Parker Mountain)

Time	Callsign	Band	Mode	Notes
19:50	WA6KYR	28MHz	SSB	59 31
20:07	W0MNA	14MHz	SSB	55 55
20:11	K0LAF	14MHz	SSB	45 44
20:12	WW7D	14MHz	SSB	59 44
20:13	KR7Q	14MHz	SSB	55 43
20:25	WU7H	7MHz	SSB	33 33
20:26	WB6POT	7MHz	SSB	59 56
20:27	KE6GLA	7MHz	SSB	59 52
20:30	K6LDQ	7MHz	SSB	59 33