We made an unsuccessful yet still fun attempt at Kelly Butte via the Lester Creek route. With info from a TR listed under Lester Creek, the directions worked fine until after we crossed the railroad bridge over the Green River. From there several different very faint paths branch out. We made it to Lester Creek and explored around, never finding an even slightly obvious trail. This would've been a longer route of course than the usual approach from the Greenwater side. Anybody ever done the Lester Creek route? I like a good bush wack as much as one can but had really hoped for an easier to follow route. It was my first time to Lester, so always to cool to go to a new place. When we couldn't find a clear route, we thought hey, lets go to Lester, hit the saloon for a beer and ask people where the trail is. Unfortunately there in no saloon open these days!

This is a great huckleberry hike now. I went up to the lookout to work and the upper meadows are a treasure trove of ripe, easily picked berries. I picked a half a quart on the short 1.2 mile hike up without leaving the trail. The lookout itself is now looking awesome due to the amazing volunteers who have generously given their time to bring this place back from oblivion. The door to the lookout remains unlocked so if anyone wants to spend a night there...it is open to use. We saw the resident head of goats again on the craggy buttes southwest of the lookout. They have a wallow on the ridge northeast of the lookout too. Kelly is a short hike with big benefits this time of year. Go now and grab some tasty berries!!!

Excellent day hike, with panoramic views, of Mt. Rainier (of course), Mt. Baker, Mt Stuart and others. Trail is only 1.7 miles, but the trail climb over the south facing rock face is a good cardio work-out. We met only one hiker on his way down and only three other couples while at the top. So, a total of 9 hikers on a bright and sunny summer weekend The campsites at the bottom of the mountain are pretty popular - it might be fun be to combine this hike with an overnight camping trip. Follow the detailed trip report filed Jul 19, 2005 by LeslieinOly with mile readouts, and you won't get lost. FS roads are rough - so, a car or SUV with good traction is recommended. There is a longer way back that would take you North all the way to I-90 but not having gathered directions before hand, we didn't risk it.

The clouds broke free as I drove onto FS RD 70, perfect timing. I headed up FS 7030 to the TH. I choose to park at the sign area instead of driving the last little bit, I would not have wanted to back out of there had there been another car coming out. Road in good shape, no snow. Wildflowers are just starting to open up. I had the whole area to myself it was magical. It was my first time to this lookout and even better than anticipated. I took the new trail and not the old ropes straight up approach. Perfect weather, I did bust out my puffy jacket at the lookout for wind. You can open latches and look inside there is work going on but it's looking good. Only one tiny patch of snow on trail left and it's like 10 steps long so nothing really. Here's my flickr page if you want to see more pics from the day http://www.flickr.com/photos/25538843@N02/

I hadn't been up to Kelly Butte for a few years, so I was shocked and delighted to find the new trail section! Wow! Thanks be to the hiking angels, who turn out--I discovered while reading a prior post here--to be members of a WTA trail crew. No more hauling one's self by rope up that first steep, awful section. The new section sports perfectly placed boulder steps and a very doable incline. Thank you, thank you. We started in so-so weather but by the time we reached the huckleberry meadows, gloomy, threatening clouds were moving in rapidly. Plus, we'd lost the trail by then due to snow. Made the smart decision and turned back. So close. I estimate another few weeks of warmer weather will make the trail visible. Can't wait to see repairs to the lookout. When we reached the car we looked back up at the rocky summit--now totally blocked by fog. Glad we left when we did.