Leviathan peak SOTA activation 2022-06-18

Leviathan peak aka W6/SN-039 is one of the most popular amongst SOTA enthusiasts (75 activations at the moment) and comparatively easily accessible eight point summits in eastern Sierra Nevada.

Wanted to do this activation a while ago - because of the majestic name and because some light offroading is involved. While appearing a mere hump from 89 the Leviathan is by no means a small mountain and provides excellent vistas - fire lookout on the top is the proof.

Getting there

Situated in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, some forty miles southeast of Lake Tahoe, Leviathan Peak was on my list for a year or so. Initially I was planning to do it as an addon returning from some Yosemite activation but fires last year threw a fat wrench into these plans and Leviathan stood unconquered.

Well, now is the time.

The mountain is an hour drive from South Lake Tahoe. If you have time and desire to explore eastern Sierras I would recommend staying near Topaz Lake. It is close by and gas stations on the Nevada side of the lake are the last chance to fill up cheaper before driving south to California.

Here is where you turn from 89 to Leviathan lookout road. The road is gravel with some rocks and was in great shape when I visited.

Doable on a two wheel drive car with a decent clearance. If things do get spicy go back, park and walk up - the hike is not that long anyway.

There is a gate some 150 feet from the actual summit. Here you dismount and soak up some terrific views. On the summit there are some solar panels, an antenna tower and a boarded fire lookout.

Do note 8980 feet summit is quite high up and some people might find not only views but also the last 100 feet of the road quite breathtaking. Pace yourself.

Leviathan peak aka W6/SN-039 SOTA activation

Even in summer it can get chilly on the top - expect cold western wind. The temperature was 40 F / 4 C and I repeated a mistake I already made a couple of times. Instead of getting an idea where the wind blows from and setting up radio on the other side of the crest I just saw an inviting pile of rocks and deployed there.

It was a sunny day but in about forty minutes I was cold to the bone and had to take a break, hide from the wind over the mountain crest and jump some burpees to warm up. Could have missed some contacts but I’m certain next time I will pick a better spot.

Really enjoyed the high desert views - still some snow patches in the Sierras.

Stations worked from Leviathan peak

Thanks folks, always glad to hear from you again. Making an s2s contact with Gary KT0A was a nice touch.

Time UTC	Call sign	RST sent	RST received	Frequency	Mode	Maidenhead grid
18:20	K6HPX	559	559	14.062	CW	DM42
18:22	WB6POT	579	559	14.062	CW	CM99
18:24	W0MNA	599	599	14.062	CW	EM29
18:28	WW7D	579	559	14.062	CW	CN87
18:30	W0ERI	599	559	14.062	CW	EM29
18:32	W5SJC	559	449	14.062	CW	EM15
18:34	N6PKT	559	599	14.062	CW	DM42
18:36	AF7M	559	559	14.062	CW	DM42
18:40	WU7R	549	449	14.062	CW	EM60
18:42	KT0A	559	559	14.062	CW	DN83
18:48	W7USA	599	599	14.062	CW	DM33
18:50	N6AN	559	339	14.062	CW	DM04
18:52	WW6A	339	559	14.062	CW	FN42
18:52	WA6YPE	549	559	14.062	CW	DM37

This is it for now, see ya. 73, K0SSK out.