McClellan Butte Trail

Puget Sound area; I-90 at exit 42. This is a popular trail that climbs through second-growth forest for the first mile or so, then gets steeper as it winds through a nice patch of old-growth. WTA will work below Garcia Road, working on brushing and opening the trail up.

This is a steep trail, which gains 3,700 vertical feet in 4.4 miles to the summit. As it is within approximately 40 minutes of downtown Seattle, it can be somewhat crowded. The trail climbs through second-growth forest for the first mile or so, then gets steeper as it winds through a nice patch of old-growth. At about three miles the first good view spot appears, which can be a turnaround point for those looking for a shorter hike. From this point, the trail opens up onto a combination of rocky slopes and forest, then ends at a clearing about 100 feet below the summit. Hikers can continue up to the true summit, but it is dangerous and often slippery--the view isn't that much better than the one that they left. Once the site of an airplane beacon, the butte has an historic place in aviation history. Hikers and dogs only. Round trip: 8.8 miles.

Driving directions:
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 42 (West Tinkham Road). Turn right from the off-ramp and continue past the Department of Transportation office. Take the first right turn, about 1/4 mile from the freeway. The parking lot and trailhead are up the road and around the corner, in the clearcut. (Driving time from Seattle: approximately 40 minutes.)