We parked on the main road and walked to the trail head.  The road to the side road to the trail head is passable if you have a high clearance vehicle. There are a few ruts but not bad.  The trail itself is very narrow and wet.  It had rained two days before.  There were a few trees down on the trail.  There isn't much to see on the hike and at the tops there a couple of view points but as good as hoped.  Its switch backs until the top.  I don't believe the trail is as long as it says.  It was only about 2 miles. 

In an attempt to avoid the traffic snafus on Hwy 18 and I-90, we have been searching for quieter destinations near the south sound. Colquhoun Peak fits the bill. This short hike in the Greenwater watershed has a big payoff.

It’s easy to get to via Hwy 410 and FR 70. Follow FR 7030 to the top of the ridge (and a 4 way intersection). Turn right on FR 7036 and travel a ¼ mile and look for an unsigned spur road on the right. This narrow one lane road travels ½ mile to the trailhead. The road is eroded but easily negotiated by SUVs (and perhaps experienced car drivers). Note: there are no turnouts on this short road. The trailhead has enough room for about three cars. Turn around before hiking and park on the uphill side away from the trailhead to avoid getting boxed in.

The trail ascends steeply through a dense thicket of fir trees. The tread is excellent. There are a dozen small trees (<4”) which are easy to step over and two 8” trees which can be sat&swiveled over [WTA members – bring a pruning saw to make short work of these obstructions]. In a quarter mile, a vista appears to the north with views of Sawmill Ridge. At ½ mile there are views to the west and Kelly Butte. At ¾ mile you reach the summit ridge, turn right for a long rocky spine with expansive views to the south towards the fire ravaged Norse Peak wilderness and Mt. Rainier. Follow the trail to left to reach the summit and remnants of the fire lookout.

This hike would be good for families with small children, because it’s short, shaded and has a lot of “discoveries”. It is also worth exploring for folks already heading north of the Greenwater river to hike Kelly Butte, Windy Gap and Blowout Mtn.

Currently lupine, strawberry, small flowered penstemon are in bloom.

Although not hikable together these peaks are a quick drive away from each other. Kelly Butte came onto our radar because it has a standing fire lookout. Colquhoun is another former fire lookout that we thought would be fun to visit.

Kelly Butte has a new trail (as opposed to the original, steep scramble). It is fabulous. It starts as a quiet ramble on an old logging road. After 3/4 of a mile it turns uphill through steep basalt cliffs and airy hillsides covered in wild flowers. Bear grass, penstemon, snow bank parsley, indian paintbrush. In all we identified ~35 different flowers.

The trail quickly reaches a long gentle bench which rises up to the beautifully restored fire lookout. Inside there is a working fire finder. Views stretch for miles. Rainier is right in your face, the Stuarts linger towards the east, and the snowy county line between King and Kittitas counties is a jagged mess of peaks.

Colquhoun, while only a few miles away, was also a fire lookout. It's old trail is infrequently used. It is barely discernible initially from the trail head. A number of trees are down over this quiet trail but we cleared it for easy hiking. A ridgeline near the summit provides good views of Rainier. The former fire lookout location has no views. A few remnants of the lookout are scattered about.

Both of our GPSs measured Kelly Butte and 2 miles one way. Just a little bit more than the 1.7 miles noted on line. Although this is a great hike for children be sure to keep them close while going through the steep section.