This was a really fun trip up to Boundary Butte. I took another approach, as I was going to take an Ebike, and was unsure of the trail conditions at the main trailhead
I drove up the Mountain Home Road from Highway 97, before I encountered snow on the road and found a nice pull off to park at 2300ft. There is about 3-4 large areas of snow over the road, with the worst one being just before the road crosses Mill Creek. After these sections, there was no snow to be seen. Where I parked added another 1.25 miles and 480 ft gain up to the 4 way intersection. This is where you want to park if the snow melts out. This 4 way intersection is also where you want to park if you want to go up to Wedge Mountain. Here's a trip report for that one. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2020-05-11-0959080537
USFS Road 7300-500 is pretty rough, and is more of a 4x4 road. I encountered one ATV on my way down. The road was perfect for biking or hiking, as there are many views along the way, as the road with a few ups and downs follows the ridge over to Boundary Butte . It is still a couple weeks away from the flowers in full bloom, so only a few right now.
The final 330 ft road ascent up to the summit is quite steep. Ebike was bogging down, so I had to push it up the road some. Pushing a 68 lb bike up hill is hard!!. Views at the summit were sweet. Actually the views are super nice along the way too. Great views of South Wedge and Wedge Mountain, Cashmere Mountain, Icicle Ridge, along with great views down to Leavenworth, and the snow capped peaks up the Chiwawa River valley
On the way down, and back at the 4 way intersection, I checked out the condition of the road up to Wedge Mountain. It is still undrivable, with many muddy ruts, and the washout is still there, a tenth of a mile past the intersection. Just park at the intersection.
My trip from where I parked was 7 miles RT with 1400ft gain. Starting from the 4 way intersection would be around 4 miles RT and 650ft gain to the Butte and 200ft on the way back. Beautiful day!!
Comments
Awesome photos and trip report-- thanks for sharing!
Posted by:
Washington Trails Association on Apr 12, 2024 12:11 PM
Thank you! It was a really fun trip, that I really enjoyed!
Posted by:
kidz won't hike on Apr 12, 2024 01:09 PM