Kelly Butte Washington State

Kelly Butte is a fire lookout north of Mt. Rainier, Washington State. The first lookout on Kelly Butte was constructed in 1926, since then a new structure was built in 1950 and renovated in 2008, back into service in 2012. The fire lookout was staffed until the 1980's. Now there are U.S. Forest Service and volunteer personnel who periodically staff the fire lookout as a host to visitors. The hike is 3.4 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1100 feet. The lookout sits at 5409 feet. In some places, the climb is steep with loose rock. There are several switchbacks that meander through the alpine wilderness.