Flint Peak

Flint Peak is one of those urban peaks with a shorter, but not short, hike. This was actually one of my first SOTA activations back in 2017 with my old call sign, KM6AKK. My reason for this peak was to ensure my 2m filter was working properly and that I didn't have the problems I experienced in my last activation.

This, together with the nearby Cerro Negro Benchmark (W6/CT-226), are probably the easiest activations in the Los Angeles area, and with the nearby large population, very doable with a 2m HT. I plugged in "1001 Marengo Dr, Glendale, CA 91206" and parked nearby. There is actually a fire road going all the way up but the gate to Marengo Drive unfortunately completely blocks this access.

The first part of the trail is a bit steep but over in about 5 minutes. Once you get through that you are greeted with a nice view of the L.A. Basin and it's easy to see the peak with its telco towers.

The trek to the peak is rather straight forward. Unfortunately it was August with a temperature in the mid 90s. I had a lazy morning and didn't start my hike until close to noon. Not the best for a hot day and this did slow me down. Still, it wasn't terrible.

Last time I was here it was easy to get to the southwest side of the peak. However, this has now been overgrown with thick vegetation and is no longer a viable option.

As this peak is the home of a telco site the very top is fenced in.

However, to the immediate right there is ample space towards the west to setup any antenna you want. As I only had my HT and a Yagi I simply used the fencing next to the gate.

Before I got that far I turned on my HT using only my rubber duck antenna and quickly got Phil (KI6PMD) on 145.58. We chatted for a bit and he helped me out by spotting me and later to point my Yagi in the right direction. I ended up with seven contacts on FM, including a site-to-site with Kelly (AJ6KZ) on Burn Peak (W6/CT-093) north of Castaic Lake.

I then switched to 144.100 CW and quickly realized while I did remember to bring my Morse key, I did not bring the correct cable to connect it to my Quansheng K1. While not optimal I do know how to use the buttons on the HT to send code, so that's what I did. It was nice to quickly get Jon (NT6E) followed by Mason (K6AFN) who I bumped into at the Pasadena SOTA meetup the weekend before.

At this point I was done and packed up my gear. At the last minute I managed one more contact on FM, my buddy Chris (KI6CR). All in all a nice little 20 minute hike to the top, probably less than 15 minutes in nicer weather.