From Lorene W6LOR and Mike K6STR
Thanks to everyone who came out for, camped at, did a summit-to-summit, or chased - on our 2026 SoCal SOTAfest! It was a record turnout, with over 45 attendees/participants on peaks. We had special guest appearances by some of our NorCal/Nevada friends - thank you for making the trip down! Friday started benignly enough with clear skies, but a brush fire would close the I-5 freeway in the afternoon, forcing evacuations in Frazier Park and triggering power outages in local markets where a bunch of folks had planned to get food and ice. We are sorry this may have deterred some folks who had planned to come. For those that made it - we hope you had a great time! Thanks to everyone for making the trip.
Event summary, by Carol
Our summer SotaFest was held Friday August 7-August 9, 2026. Mike K6STR and Lorene W6LOR took the lead at distributing information. They, along with Adam K6ARK, reserved the two group sites – thus there was plenty of room for us to spread out. About 40 ham operators participated, most camping in tents. Ron K6CPR and Sheri K6SBB got to show off their new-to-them teardrop trailer. Adam, David N6AN, and Chris KH6HZE slept under the stars without a tent. The temperature was mild both during the day and through the night.
Mike KO6GTO and Mason K6AFN were our two participants new to SOTA.
From Huston
I don’t wanna miss anybody so I just wanna thank absolutely everybody who put this together and made this happen. Jon had absolutely the best time and we all looked forward to it for weeks and just love spending time with you guys. NT6E our friend Jon was interested in getting as many summits as he could and the number of QSO was unimportant. Our average was probably 10 to 12 per summit operating 2M on all but one. We used Jons equipment exclusively and he ran it like a pro! My role was Indy 500 Baja 1000 driver only!!! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe we’ll do less than seven summits next time and spend time in camp. Hanging out with DLZ [Derek W7DLZ] was really amazing.
Jon is one of our favorite SoCal SOTA chasers. He has a seeing disability which prevents him from activating, but he more than makes up for it by nearly always being on the air to chase. Those of us who hike to activate a summit depend on chasers for our points, so we appreciate all those, like Jon, who help us out. This is the second outing Jon has been on in recent years, thanks to the brothers Huston and Ralph. Huston picked Jon up at 6 am on Saturday. Their day then included activating 7 summits. Their day then included activating 7 summits. Burnt, Liebre, Bald, Frazier, Tecuya, San Emigdio and Cerro Noroeste all in one day! That’s a record as far as I know!!! Huston would not let Jon get more than 4 contacts, then he would turn off the radio and inform Jon that it was time to go to the next summit. At the end of the day the trio arrived at camp, greeted everyone, then Huston did the long drive to take Jon home in Torrance, ending his long day in Thousand Oaks.
Mike and Adam conducted a Quansheng workshop, where folks brought over their $30 Chinese radios. Their radio then underwent a hardware modification and firmware update and the owner walked away with a functional 2m/CW and SSB radio.
About the girls -- Alice KO6KZO (left in the photo above) is working on her AE exam. She will also be giving a talk at Pacificon this year on Mike and Ara’s 2 m filter. Sophie KO6MFO (right in the above) has hiked with her Dad Gabriel AJ6X and brother Alex KO6MFP on 38 summits this summer. Photo by Mason K6AFN.
Bruegge trip report
The Bruegge’s family had planned to drive part-way to Escapula and hike the 3.5 mi RT trail. They encountered a large dip at the beginning of the off-road section, which ended their drive plan. After a mile on foot, Mike K6MII came along and rescued them, driving them up to the trailhead. This was a repeat of Tom and Carol’s failed drive-up to Butler Peak last year, where Mike had also encountered them walking on a dirt road that he could navigate.
From Tom KB9ENS
Joe (WO6JO) and I hiked the 10-mile round trip Tumamait trail on Saturday from Cerro Noroeste to Mt Pinos via the Chumash Wilderness.
Summits
Hi All!
Here is a list of the most popular peaks for the SOTAfest, indicating commonly used routes:
(Disclaimer - this is only a guide, and road conditions, weather, trail conditions may be different than described. Please use good judgment, bring plenty of water, and be safe. As of this time, roads indicated are open.)
For additional information, please contact the Mt. Pinos Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest (661) 245-3731
Cerro Noroeste, 8 pts. A 5 min walk from the group campground to the true summit.
Mt. Pinos, 8 pts. The highest peak in the area, this is a ~4 mrt hike or mtn bike up a forested dirt road (closed to vehicles). Trailhead is accessible via a paved road.
San Emigdio Mountain, 6 pts. This peak is roughly 6.5 mrt from the paved road with 1500 ft gain. For those with a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle with good tires, one can drive to the activation zone and walk 5-10 min to the true summit. Also possible via mtn bike or dirt bike.
Escapula Peak, 6 pts. This peak is accessible with high clearance 4x4 vehicles up a dirt road. The crux is a large rut near the beginning. If leaving a vehicle near the paved road, it is 4.8 mrt & 1400 ft gain via the dirt road and a use trail to the true summit. For those able to drive closer, it is about 2.5mrt & 700 ft gain.
Tecuya Peak, 6 pts. Serious jeeps or dirt bikes may make it to the top, although many will choose to park a mile below the summit and walk the steep dirt road from the north. For 4wd SUVs, this will be ~2 mrt & 500 ft gain on foot. (The Tecuya Trail approaches from the south, but is very steep, south-exposed and will be very hot this time of year.)
Frazier Mountain, 8 pts. This peak is a driveup for high clearance vehicles with good tires, not so great for passenger cars. Options exist for driving partway and hiking partway up one of the alternative forest roads near the top. Popular with OHVs & dirt bikes.
San Guillermo Peak, 6 pts.
With careful driving, a passenger car can make it to Pine Springs Campground, the trailhead for this peak. There are no trail signs, but a common route leaves from the campground loop and hooks up with a use trail to the peak. This area can be hot, lots of water is recommended, and it may be helpful to download a gpx track to help with navigation through the forest. Brushy at times.
Bald Mountain, 4 pts. This peak can be accessed with careful driving by most vehicles.
Townsend Peak, 2pts. Off the I5 fwy, this peak is 3mrt but will likely be hot, and is a bit brushy at the top.
Additional peaks are possible, further out and requiring more dirt road driving (Antimony, Liebre, Burnt, etc.)
Please note the Lockwood Valley road is closed between Grade Valley Road and Reyes Peak road due to water damage.
If you have questions - ask! Maybe someone here will have recent knowledge.
73,
Lorene W6LOR and Mike K6STR
Attendees
| Name | Call |
| Adam | K6ARK |
| Ara | N6ARA |
| Ben | AG6N |
| Bill | N6MTB |
| Brian with TJ | KJ6EUW |
| Cam | AK6IY |
| Chris | N1CLC |
| David | N6AN |
| Derek | W7DLZ |
| Drew | N7DA |
| Gabriel | AJ6X |
| Sophie | KO6MFO |
| Alex | KO6MFP |
| Huston | KK6WT |
| Ralph | KK6MT |
| Jeff | KC6X |
| Joe | WO6JO |
| Jon | NT6E |
| Keith | W6KME |
| Kent | N6WT |
| Link | KK6ONL |
| Martin | AJ6CL |
| Mark | N6XZN |
| Mason | K6AFN |
| Mike | K6MII |
| Mike | K6STR |
| Lorene | W6LOR |
| Mike | KO6GTO |
| Oleh | KD7WPJ |
| Peter | WB6POT |
| Pauline | WB6PDW |
| Ron | K6CPR |
| Sheri | K6SBB |
| Tim with Josh | K6TW |
| Tom | KB9ENS |
| Tom | KE6SRO |
| Carol | KE6SRN |
| Chris | KF6HZE |
| w/ grandkids | |
| Tony | KM6AM |
| Alice | KO6KZO |
| Wayne | W6DT |