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Seattle Trails

Seattle: McClellan Butte

The 4.3-mile climb to McClellan Butte is steep and rugged, but the payoff on top of this strikingly sharp summit is nothing short of spectacular. Wear sturdy boots for extra support.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 6.7
  • Miles from city center: 42

Waypoints

MBT001

Location: 47.4123420715332, -121.590339660645

McClellan Butte trailhead

MBT002

Location: 47.4077835083008, -121.59130859375

Turn R onto Iron Horse Trail, an abandoned RR grade open to hiking and mountain biking

MBT003

Location: 47.409610748291, -121.591407775879

Camping platforms

MBT004

Location: 47.4119606018066, -121.595970153809

Turn L onto McClellan Butte trail near Alice Creek

MBT006

Location: 47.4063568115234, -121.616012573242

Trail washout; start of scenic traverse beneath cliffs

MBT007

Location: 47.4002494812012, -121.628433227539

Hairpin turn; head NE up dramatic, sparsely forested mountainside

MBT008

Location: 47.4015998840332, -121.627655029297

Short downhill section leads to a seasonal tarn

MBT009

Location: 47.4047813415527, -121.62508392334

Climb rocky, exposed ridgeline to the pyramid-shaped summit

MBT010

Location: 47.406925201416, -121.622108459473

McClellan butte (5,162 ft.); outstanding views of neighboring Mts.Kent and Gardner to S

MBT005

Location: 47.4091529846191, -121.606094360352

Sharp string of switchbacks ahead

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