Activation Report | July 2025 | W7O/CE-103

Willow Butte [W7O/CE-103] is an easy 4 pointer located in the Deschutes National Forest just 20 Miles SE of LaPine, OR. From Lapine take FS22 21 miles to NFD 2400-900. Turn south for ~ 1mile to NFD 2400-930 on the right. NFD 930 is soft and rutted but any AWD vehicle should be able to make it to the end of the track where a large tree blocks the way. There is a wide spot here to park but since its one way in and out, parking in the middle of the track is probably ok. We so no evidence of any other recent vehicle traffic on this road.

Park and follow your app/gps to the summit. I will post a gpx track if I am able. The summit is about a .25 mile bush wack through manzanita and some dead timber but we had no trouble navigating through the bush.

We approached the summit block from the south and had to scramble a little to get on top, however the track that we took down was much easier and no scrambling. Once on top we were very pleasantly surprised at the views and the setup. There are a couple of old pines providing shade, and an old stump to tie a mast off to. 360 degree views of the South Side of Newberry Crater, the South Central Oregon Cascades and a great view of Fort Rock out to the South.

This summit needs more activations, it is one of our new favorites; relatively easy access, short but interesting hike and a really scenic AZ.

Band conditions were ok, we were able to snag 7 S2S on 40 and 20M and a few local 2M contacts. This summit is pretty remote so don’t rely on 2M or you’ll probably be disappointed.