Hiked to Kelly Butte on 7/30/16. Started a little bit after noon and took our time climbing as I was with my mother. There was a good incline but it was very manageable, even for her! We made it to the summit a little after 1:30pm and there was a volunteer manning the lookout! He showed us inside and gave us a quick run down on how to use the Osborne Fire Finder (yes, there was a working fire finder in there! very cool!). We sat on the other side of the lookout and had great views of the surrounding area and especially of Mt. Rainier! Totally worth it on a clear day!
On the way back down we saw some mountain goats and their babies! very cool! make sure to take some binoculars just to get a closer look at them! TOP TIP: On the way down there is a lot of small loose bits of skree on the trail, so take your time heading down. Its easy to slip and lose your footing.
My mom and I had a blast on this hike! Do it on a clear day to take full advantage of the views, but remember to take your time and have fun!
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