Sep 19, 2013
by KX0R
Dakota Hill is a good SOTA peak, but it’s not in the Dakotas; and at 10,929 feet, 3325M, it’s not really a hill. Activating this peak requires a little map-reading, some interesting driving, and a short hike.
Drive to Black Hawk, head north on Highway 119 about 2-1/2 miles, and turn left on Apex Valley Road, Co Rd 4-S. Google maps show this route clearly. Follow Apex Valley Road several miles, and continue past the left turn for Elk Park Road – Mammoth Gulch Road. The road gradually gets rougher here, and you may wonder if you’re on the right track. Go north uphill on Co Rd 4-S, then up around a switch back – the road gets steep, and parts of it have been eroded by recent heavy rains. If you have an ordinary car, you should park before the road gets too rough. I was able to drive my old VW bug up to an old mine, where there are a couple of buildings. Parking is not prohibited – park well off the road. Above the mine the road is very rough, but if you have a 4WD vehicle you can drive a bit higher. From the mine you can hike directly up the slope 700 vertical feet to the summit. You also can hike or drive up the road, and then climb the NW ridge up to the summit. Either way this is a short SOTA hike.
There is a fenced microwave facility and towers on top of the mountain. The area is not posted, but obviously you should avoid the facility.
The Dakota Hill summit is wide and almost flat, so you can easily set up and operate several hundred feet east of the microwave site, while staying well within 75 vertical feet of the summit. The eastern part of the peak is a pleasant, sheltered forest. You are unlikely to see anyone up there. It’s easy to set up and activate. I experienced no interference from the microwave facility.
There is another 4WD route up the eastern side of Dakota Hill – I have no information about access via that route. The western access via Apex Valley Road seems like the best way up.
George Carey Fuller
KX0R
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- Dakota Hill View
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- Dakota Hill Facility
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- James Peak
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- KX0R Rig
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- Dakota Hill Activation
!! WARNING !! There are old mountaineers, and
bold mountaineers... there are no old-bold mountaineers.
Hiking and mountain climbing are potentially hazardous activities particularly in Colorado with its extreme elevations. I am not accepting responsibility for any death or injury resulting from activations based on my trip reports. Proper training, experience, and personal capability assessment is required - enjoy!
