Kelly Butte — Monday, Jan. 1, 2024

The perfect New Year's Day hike!!

I set out with my friend and we were able to drive and get parked (Subaru Forester) 2.6mi from the trailhead.  Snowshoed the road until we hit the trailhead and switched back to just boots. Microspikes were put on a little way up the switchbacks and we just went the rest of the way with that, but snowshoes would have been easier through the final stretch once you get back to the more level section with trees. The wind coming from the north was VERY cold once we hit the top of the hike and could see the lookout, but we were very warm on the south side of the tower, blocking that wind and in the sunshine, so it was a wonderful visit! We booked it back down and only needed headlamps for the final half mile to the car.  Total trip was 9.2 miles, and we were the only humans to be seen. PERFECTION!