Parish Hikes

   

Hike #7: McClellum Butte Hike

The upper half of the long, 9 mile round trip McClellum Butte hike is best attempted only by experienced, in-shape hikers. If you have not hiked for some time and are thinking of taking this particular parish hike, it would be best to stick to the lower two miles or so and not even think about the upper trail. The lower portion of the trail is very beautiful. The upper portion is dramatically beautiful, but is truly steep. The trail is so steep that just when you think that it can’t get any steeper, it does! However, most of the trail is quite comfortable to walk on, though steep. If you are in shape, take the entire hike because it is really a great one. The accompanying photo shows that even on a grey day a person can have stunning views from openings in the trees along the trail route.

It is best to hike the McClellum Butte trail later in the season. If a person goes too early it is possible that dangerously steep snow in three gullies 1.3 miles from the top and deep snow for the last 1/2 mile could impede the way. On a parish hike day, if there is still snow blocking the way, the hike will terminate at the snow. Anyone going farther will be considered no longer on the parish hike. The same goes for the last 100 feet to the summit. This is a highly exposed rock climb where a fall means sure death. Anyone who goes up this portion of high exposure is also considered off the hike. This notice is meant to be taken seriously.

Family friendly portion of trail
The trail takes off right next to the toilet house. People going just a short way should take time to enjoy the views when the trail pops out of the forest while passing under a power line. Eventually, you will intersect with what appears to be a gravel road. This is the Iron Horse Trail that runs into Eastern Washington and is used primarily as a mountain bike trail. A bunch of signs will give directions to various destinations. McClellum Butte hikers will want to turn right. After walking on the road a short distance, you will come across a small campground and picnic area! This is the first turnaround. At this point you will have come 3/4 of a mile. Turning around? Enjoy some food here as well as the views before heading down. The toilet house located here is the last one on the trail.

Going on? Stay on the road. Do not leave it on what appear to be trails branching to the left or right. You will go past a small sign saying Alice Creek. Then, in a few minutes, a sign on the left saying McClellum Butte Trail takes you back on the trail. The trail gets a bit steeper at this point but is still very family friendly. After a bit the hiker reaches the first of the really big trees. Stop for a moment to enjoy the super-big one just to the left of the trail. These ancient forest trees accompany the hiker most of the rest of the way. At 1/4 mile from the Iron Horse Trail, you will cross a "main line" logging road. This is the second turn around. You are now a mile from the parking lot. If this is it, enjoy lunch here before heading back.

The trail resumes immediately across the logging road. Onward hikers need to remember that coming down, this road needs to be crossed on the downward route to the Iron Horse where you must remember to turn right, pass the camp/picnic area and look for the sign on the left taking you back to the parking lot.

The third "turn around"
As soon as you cross the main line logging road, several small signs attached to trees let you know that you are on new trail. This trail does not have any steps like the last section. It remains soft underfoot, moves through groves of ancient forest, and starts to get steeper. After some time, the trail will cross an open scree slope. The tread and the hillside will be covered with small fist-sized flat stones. When you are almost about to enter the forest again, those who want to go back to the car should stop for lunch and enjoy the views of the I-90 corridor way below you. What to bring and how to get there
Bring mosquito lotion! Also, people planning for the entire hike will need two quarts of water each. If the weather is warm you will really sweat, so rehydrate often. Wear shorts. The steep trail makes wearing long pants uncomfortable, pulling at the knees with each step, unless they are really baggy. Carry your water, food, extra clothing to put on when you stop so that you do not chill down, and any first aid stuff you might need for blisters. It is essential that families or other groupings stay together so that you can return to the car as a group in case one or the other can hike no farther. On the steep, steep trail, please do not think about running down. An easily twisted ankle or broken leg can lead to a complex rescue.