Chelan Butte

Towering more than 2,000 feet above Chelan, WA, Chelan Butte serves up sweeping views of Lake Chelan, a patchwork of apple orchards rimming the lakeshore, and the Columbia river on the eastern side. Lacking somewhat in taller vegetation, the mostly bald hill is artificially ornamented with a studding of sky-reaching antennas.

Location Elsewhere
Rating 2.9 out of 5
Difficulty Moderate
Distance 7.8 miles
Duration 3:44 hours moving time (hiking)
Elevation Gain 2,585 feet
High Point 3,825 feet (Chelan Butte)
Low Point 1,172 feet (Trailhead)
Trail Type Out-and-back
Trailbed Packed dirt, loose rocks
Water None
Status Unprotected
Administration Chelan Butte State Wildlife Area
Conditions Excellent
Permits None required
Camping None
Maps USGS Chelan
Trailhead From Chelan, cross the lake on Webster Ave, then turn left onto Farnham St. Farnham will eventually turn into Sanders St. Turn left onto Iowa St after half a mile, then you’ll see the trailhead on your left after a quarter mile.

Google Directions (47.83085, -120.009562)

Season Year-around
Squirrel Density Excellent
Features Mountaintop, Meadow
Distance From
  • Coeur d’Alene 185.4 miles
  • Lewiston 243.6 miles
  • Sandpoint 224.4 miles
Resources
Date September 18, 2017

This is an ideal hike for a bird’s eye view of lake Chelan and its namesake city. Bear in mind that there is very little forestation and the hike up, under a broiling sun, may get you sweating. That said, a nice breeze picks up once you gain the ridge.

Lots of tall grass and few trees…From the trailhead, which is actually the trailhead for a hiking/biking trail along the Chelan River, cross the road (Iowa) and head straight uphill along the double-track. You’ll come to an arrow fairly soon, at which point a single-track veers off to the right (signed for hiking). You could go straight up the mountain, but it is pretty steep. Anyway, we chose the hiking path, which moves westwards and keeps climbing, eased somewhat by a few switchbacks. The first switchback is actually a fork, and it is signed well; you’ll take a left. The terrain is very open, with very few trees and mostly just tall grasses. As the trail climbs, it crosses a gully and then levels off and heads east and gains the ridge around the 2-mile mark.

Elephant HeadHere you have the option to continue east and climb the little hump known as Elephant Head. It offers nice views all around and across the Columbia gorge and the plateau beyond. The Chelan Butte trail, however, turns southwest and continues up the ridge, in places quite steeply, while serving up views that just get better and better. 

The butte is covered with antennas and towers. There is also a gravel access road, if driving is more your thing…You’ll reach the top just around the 4-mile marker, that being a bit of a disappointment, since there is an access road and many antennas mounted on the top. During our visit, in fact, a truck from a wireless company pulled up to do some maintenance on a tower. The views are extravagant, however, all around, but the view of Lake Chelan appears to be a bit better from just below the peak.

Enjoy this hike? Let us know in the comments below!

The trail starts on the far side of the road. Chelan Butte is to the right
The trail starts on the far side of the road. Chelan Butte is to the right
Trailhead
Trailhead
City of Chelan
City of Chelan
The trail starts out on an old double-track
The trail starts out on an old double-track
The hiking trail shifts to the right at first, then switchbacks left.
The hiking trail shifts to the right at first, then switchbacks left.
Lots of tall grass and few trees…
Lots of tall grass and few trees…
Elephant Head
Elephant Head
Columbia River
Columbia River
Lake Chelan and the namesake city
Lake Chelan and the namesake city
Tall yellow grasses as far as the eye can see
Tall yellow grasses as far as the eye can see
Panorama picture of Lake Chelan from the ridge below Chelan Butte
Panorama picture of Lake Chelan from the ridge below Chelan Butte
Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan
The butte is covered with antennas and towers. There is also a gravel access road, if driving is more your thing…
The butte is covered with antennas and towers. There is also a gravel access road, if driving is more your thing…
Columbia River, taken from Chelan Butte
Columbia River, taken from Chelan Butte
Panorama picture, taken from Chelan Butte
Panorama picture, taken from Chelan Butte
Lake Chelan, taken from Chelan Butte
Lake Chelan, taken from Chelan Butte
The city of Chelan, far, far below
The city of Chelan, far, far below
Barbed-wire fence along the trail
Barbed-wire fence along the trail
Chelan Butte, taken from the north side of Lake Chelan (Benson Vineyards to be exact; nice Syrah)
Chelan Butte, taken from the north side of Lake Chelan (Benson Vineyards to be exact; nice Syrah)
Trailhead

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