Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
2 weeks ago
Fall colors are outstanding
4 this month · 76 reports
Kelly Butte
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 week ago
The road to Kelly Butte is rough but generally passable, with potholes becoming more prevalent in the final stretch. Parking is usually available, though it can fill up on busy days. The trail itself is in good condition, with the steep middle section offering a good workout. Fall foliage is a highlight, with reports from September 12 and August 15 noting vibrant colors. Volunteers have been staffing the lookout, providing information and an open space to explore. The lookout has recently undergone re-roofing. As of October 31, intermittent snow is present, requiring caution, but the trail was still crossable.
Generated from 48 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Kelly Butte
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road is generally rough and passable, but the final stretch contains significant potholes and washboarding. Drivers should exercise caution and be prepared to navigate these obstacles, though low-clearance vehicles have managed as recently as October 22.
Yes, as of October 31, there is intermittent snow on the trail, ranging from a few inches to a foot deep. This snow can become slushy and wet as the day progresses, and poles and gaiters are recommended.
The lookout is staffed by friendly volunteers, making it open and accessible for visitors. Recent reports from October 18 and September 12 indicate ongoing volunteer presence.
The trail is in good condition with no major obstacles reported by most users. One report from September 30 mentioned a single tree across the trail near the beginning that is easy to duck under.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Snow on road starts about 2.5 miles before the trailhead. Started on the trail around 12:30 with only one other car in the parking lot. Snow on the trail from the start varying from a couple inches to...
Recent2 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Road to trailhead had some washboarding and some big potholes you need to watch out for. Didn't seem to be a lot of parking at the top, but there was only one other car, so not a problem today. The ...
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Arrived at the trailhead around 11:30 there were five other cars in the lot. Second shift timing worked well for us.By the time we got to the lookout , we had it all to ourselves. Three groups were h...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Kelly Butte is closing for the season!Spent the day with a crew from Snoqualmie Fire Lookouts Association putting Kelly Butte to bed for the winter. We repaired a broken shutter, gathered gear to go ...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
I took extra care on the drive up because of the previous trip report. But i didn't have any issues on the drive. Trail is great. There is one tree over the trail at the beginning but it's high enoug...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
We got lost a couple of times driving to the Trailhead, even though we used WTA coordinates to get there. I highly recommend downloading the map ahead of time. If it were not for my husband cross-re...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
We arrived a little after 0530 this morning. The small lot had a few cars already. We slowly made our way up at the sunrise put on a beautiful show for us. Cotton candy pinks and oranges, highlight Ra...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
The road to the Kelly Butte trailhead was in a lot better condition than I expected. There were a few short sections with potholes, some washboarding, and a rough section near the end, but nothing ver...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Fall foliage is popping right now!Road up, look ahead and slow down for potholes or swerve around and avoid them. People were shooting in both pits on way up and down.Trail- great shape. From TH, love...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
The trail was in great condition thanks to our WTA trail maintenence crews! the road out there however contained a lot of potholes, but not impassable, you just need to be careful driving up.