Kelly Butte (47.1692648, -121.4926462) History. The first lookout at Kelly Butte was a D-6 12’x12′ cupola cabin built in 1926 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was replaced in 1950 with a 1932 14’x14′ ground house with catwalk and staffed until the 1980s. The lookout fell into serious disrepair and in 2011 was restored with a new access trail thanks to Bob Adler and a team of volunteers. The shake roof was replaced the first year, then 80 window panes, 19 window frames, and 8 new shutters were built the following year. 140 hours were invested replacing the door and rebuilding shutters. After 3,000 volunteer hours, the Kelly Butte lookout is a beautiful site to see! The route. Distance (RT): 3.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,100′ The trail begins on a former logging road lined by trees and large rocks. In less than a mile the wide trail turns to singletrack and begins a series a steep switchbacks, offering big views of Mount Rainier. At the top of the steep climb is a gentle traverse across a nice treed area before reaching the final rocky summit and the lookout. With the new trail construction, a tricky scramble is no longer required to reach the lookout. Enjoy the sweeping views of Rainier, Baker, and Mount Stuart from the top and if you’re lucky, the lookout may be open and staffed by a volunteer. Kelly Butte is no longer open to the public unless a volunteer is present. 2022-10-16 06:40 2023-07-02 21:05