Trip

Day Hike - McClellan Butte

Hikes with Spikes Trip. Weather looks to be great. Snow is not deep and avalanche conditions look to stay low. Let's do this peak before the winter conditions take over. This is a challenging hike--3,700' gain. 9 miles. Please read the Leader's Notes in detail before signing up.

Mon, Dec 2, 2024
Committee: Foothills Hiking Committee
Activity Type: Day Hiking
Audience: Adults

Difficulty: Strenuous
Leader Rating: Challenging
Mileage: 9.0 mi
Elevation Gain: 3,700 ft
High Point Elevation: 5,100 ft
Pace: 1.25 MPH up, 2.25 MPH down

Availability: 4 (7 capacity)
Cancellation & Refund Policy

Meeting place and time

Meet at lower McClellan Butte TH at 8 AM. Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful Pass required at TH

Getting There

The main McClellan parking lot is on the south side of I-90 at the West Tinkham Road, Exit 42. Turn right at the stop sign at the end of the ramp. Pass the Department of Transportation facility and continue a hundred yards or so. Turn right into the parking area.

Leader's notes

This is a challenging trip, with a steep trail and likely several miles of hiking in the snow. We will not be doing the rock scramble section at the top, but stop for lunch at the fine viewpoint where the trail ends. Participants need to have completed a hike of at least 3000' gain within the past four months. Microspikes and trekking poles are required.

This trail has two significant avalanche chutes that we will cross at about 4000' elevation. Based on the conditions I experienced on nearby Mount Washington on 11/26 (there was 2' at most snow at the top), I don't anticipate any concern. No new snow is forecast through Tuesday next week. The current avalanche forecast is low and should remain there. Daytime temperatures at summit will be above freezing (low 40s) from Saturday to Tuesday--melting what snow there is. I will monitor all these issues and recheck the avalanche forecast the day/night before the trip. Hope you can come. Rob

Route/Place