W6/ND-393 8185 (Benton Crag) – W6 SOTA Association

Summit & Travel Info
Summit ID: W6/ND-393	Name: 8185 (Benton Crag)	Points: 8
Route Type: Hike	Round Trip: 1.3 mi.	Gain: 218 ft
Starting point (lat/lon): 37.72250, -118.59175	Area(s): Mammoth, Owens Valley (Hwy 395 corridor)

Summit & Travel Info

Summit ID: W6/ND-393

Name: 8185 (Benton Crag)

Points: 8

Route Type: Hike

Round Trip: 1.3 mi.

Gain: 218 ft

Starting point (lat/lon): 37.72250, -118.59175

Area(s): Mammoth, Owens Valley (Hwy 395 corridor)

Summer Bonus: 3 Pts June 15 - September 15
Other summits in the area: W6/SN-033 Mammoth Mountain, W6/ND-037 Lookout Mountain, W6/ND-392 Dry Creek Knoll, W6/ND-029 Banner Ridge, W6/ND-012 Bald Mountain, W6/ND-026 Gilbert Peak, W6/ND-041 8126, W6/ND-047 Casa Diablo

Friday, July 25, 2025. From Benton Crossing Road, we turned off onto a 1.6 mi dirt road then parked at 37.73253, -118.57027. From here we hiked an additional 0.7 mi. Along this latter stretch, we were amused that the road had a Forest Service designation (03S152), in that it was not at all driveable. There was a bit of loose scree as we headed towards the summit. We did not make the final climb to the summit, due to steep and large boulders. We were, however, in the activation zone. The Bishop repeaters can be used to stir up 2m/FM contacts on 146.52 MHz. Interestingly, we made contact with Steve K6SPA who volunteers to run the Trout Pond at McGee Creek RV Park, where we were camped. Later that night we went fishing at the Trout Pond. Steve provides poles (and lessons) and cleans anything you catch.