wanted to go on a quick hike with excellent views so Kelly Butte was the destination. Trail is in great shape a little snow at the top of the ridge (few patches here and there). Meet a couple on the way up that said they saw a 2 Mountain Goats near the lookout, but they were gone before we got their.

My boyfriend and I kicked off the season by taking our first trek up to Kelly Butte. The trail was in great condition, minus the "Kelly Butte" sign pointing to the start of the switchbacks being knocked off the post. We temporarily attached it but it will without a doubt fall off again. There was quite a bit of snow to walk through as you near the lookout, but nothing that requires any extra equipment, just make sure your boots are waterproof! The lookout was great, minus the foggy weather (we didn't really get a view today). It was obvious that this hike offers incredible views on our way down when the fog started to burn off. Looking forward to doing this hike again on a clear day! On a side note, we seem to have lost a men's Columbia jacket on our way down. If you find it and you don't want to keep it, please email parvuj@spu.edu and a nice bit of karma will be coming your way :)

We hiked it later in the evening tarting the hike at 5.30 PM. we were a party of 4 friends. The lower part of the trail (starting area) is rather open and was a bit windy because of how open it is in the beginning. The trail then gets a little muddy just past the rock face, where after you end up in a bit of snow. The snow continues in patches here and there, and eventually stops shortly before getting to the lookout itself. It can be rather windy up there and clouds do roll in continuously at this time of the year, but other than that pick a nice day, and don't be afraid of the snow :)

Heading out to this trail from the sound: we fully expected possible rain/snow to interfere with our hike but we we only had to deal with a bit of drizzle. The roads to the trailhead are pretty well maintained and in good shape; no visible snow, just watch for the ocassional big rocks. The area is pretty full of gunhappy folks on the weekend-- just a heads up. The trailhead appears to now be immediately left of the road; it might of once went further down but the area for the lot and the posts blocking further travel down the road means that the trail is actually a not so terrible dirt road until you hit the actual trail sections. The trail began to climb quite a bit; the first section of switchbacks makes for a pretty quick ascent but the constant views behind you make it worth it. I'm not sure that this section of trail would be very safe in snow conditions. The trail itself is pretty straightforward and in good shape and remains exposed as you scale up the side, so views are abound. The last section through some of the forest before the lookout: The path cuts between a lot of underground, some sections up to knee high-- so bring or prepare for pants to get wet via the vegetation, very narrow section. The lookout itself was in good shape but the clouds made some of the majestic views we anticipated to never really come into fruition; The weather changes constantly up there and it was worth the wait to see if it would clear much. The way back down was fine, just be cautious on the first section of switchbacks. Hiked with a dog, water on trail, not really a good water source in area

the road to the trailhead is complety accessible (previous trip report said it wasn't), made it with no problem in a kia rio,their was even a volkswagon pasat parked at the trailhead. Beautifal day for a fall hike, sunny and 70+ degrees. the fall foliage is stunning!!! even found a few huckleberries.