McClellan Butte

Follow this route up this distinctive peak to find a rocky summit with 360-degree views.
Total Distance: 10.0 miles
Total Ascent: 3600ft
Highest Point: 5162ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Our Hiking Time: 5h 30m
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
To get there, take I-90 out to Exit 42. At the stop sign turn right and follow Forest Road 55 for less than a half-mile to the McClellan Butte spur heading uphill on your right. Follow the spur to the trailhead parking lot. View Google Directions >>
McClellan Butte is the perfect alternative to Mt. Si if you’re looking for a good training hike without the crowds. In high summer and early fall, once all the snow has finally melted away, the hike should not pose too much difficulty for the whole family to reach the top. While a steady uphill climb, frequent openings in the treeline offer ideal places to catch your breath before pushing onward. While the views are similar to many of the other peaks in the area, the allure of the exposed crags with the minimum of mileage to get there makes this a great hike.

There's a lot more to McClellan Butte, and you can learn all about it in Hiking through History Washington: Exploring the Evergreen State's Past by Trail. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!