This trail is largely for those interested in heading up, steeply. Moderated with switchbacks at times, and with a gradual traverse when you need it, the rewards here are not without effort. The actual summit is a rock-scramble, but the views and the flower-packed west facing slope near the top can be enjoyed without making the true top. More than a few remaining old-growth trees and a soft tread make this a well-rounded hike whether it is a training hike or your weekend reward.
Edit 8/26/24: Hitting the true summit is required for the fkt. Most existing fkts included the true summit.
Do not attempt this in the winter without avalanche training! It is known for slides and is not a safe winter hike.
Getting Started
The first few miles crosses power lines, the Iron Horse Trail, and Forest Service road 9020. Stick with it and power up the at-times steep trail. Peek-a-boo views of the Alice Valley and Mount Kent to the east will keep you interested.
At roughly 2.5 miles into the hike one needs to exercise caution around a series of avalanche chutes and snow bridges which can be undermined by flowing water. These snow runnels can be quite dangerous and hard-packed with snow. At this elevation, snow frequently lasts until early July so be cautious and realistic with your abilities and equipment. If there is snow, come back when it is gone, since on these steep slopes, snow can slide at any time. The trail continues to about 4 miles, where it turns west and then quickly north towards the summit ridge.
This last mile of the hike has small meadows, a vernal pond, and scrambly little rocky sections of trail. Although most will be satisfied with the views from this area, the true summit may beckon to others. Those who venture up should keep in mind: rain can make the rock slippery and although technically easy the scramble to the summit is very exposed. Watch for the steps and hand holds blasted into the ridgeline.
Views from the top encompass the full range of I-90 peaks, Snoqualmie Pass, and much of the Alpine Lake Wilderness. As you carefully descend the rocky summit, think of the pioneers who first documented these lands. General George B McClellan visited this area in 1853 surveying (unsuccessfully) for a route for rail lines to pass through the Cascades. He chose the never-used Yakima Pass. The more popular route was Snoqualmie Pass, home now to the major interstate highway you used to get to the trailhead. Make sure to bring a NW Forest pass or America the Beautiful for parking.
Description from: https://www.gaiagps.com/hike/234420/mcclellan-butte/
Comments
Female FKT !!
Haha, posted an FKT and came back from a trip to see it was gone! Love it! Just a heads up Isabel was not on route for the second half of the first mile. She took the much faster and Palouse to the Cascades road instead of the McClellan Butte Trail, like everyone else. I know it probably doesn't matter much but she did post a time that was only 4 seconds faster than me, and I would like to think that road runs more than 4 seconds faster lol. Cheers.Â
Hey Anna, I think you messed up your split on the ascent. Seems you might have looked at your "moving time" instead of elapsed time, and your split was ~1:27 to the summit :P
As biscuit mentioned, your time on the ascent was actually actually closer to 1:27, you can verify here by using the segment graph which uses elapsed time.
Furthermore, your claim that Isabel was not on route from the second half of the first mile is inaccurate. Take a look at this cal topo map that compares her route to the official route downloaded directly from the FKT site, as well as the men's FKT. The top 3 men's times follow this same route.Â