Little Butte Hike
A Rustic Side-Hill Scramble
Do you like a bit of adventure? Then the Little Butte Traverse is calling your name. The trail is faint and used mainly by deer, so don’t expect a clear route at every turn. But the views at the end will reward a free spirit.
The Hike
Unlike the Elephant Head hike on the east side of the Butte, the Little Butte Traverse has little elevation gain. Your SUV or truck does all the work leaving you a lovely saunter through the sage and grasses.
The hike out and back to the view point is short: 2 miles round trip. Wear sturdy shoes. The trail has been created and used by deer and much of it is not level. You will want good tread.
I like to do this hike mid-spring after the Balsam Root has faded at lower elevations. I’ve never seen another hiker on this route, although it is known to many locals. Solitude and songbirds will be your company.
The Route
To the Trailhead:
Turn south onto S. Millard street and continue for 3 miles up the Butte Road. The asphalt gives way to dirt after the first mile. Please drive a car with 4-wheel drive as several sections are steep.
After a steep climb at 2.75 miles, the elevation levels out and the road hugs a sidehill with a slight climb. At the 3 mile mark, turn left onto a faint road leading out along a ridge. The road is closed to traffic. This is the rustic trailhead for our rustic hike.
Little Butte Traverse:
Cross the main Butte road, walk through the barb wire opening, and follow the trail as it heads west. Straight up you will see Little Butte - the diminutive little sibling to the Chelan Butte.
Our deer trail follows a sidehill route in and out of ravines along the eastern slope of Little Butte until it arrives at the ridge line of the north slope.
The Little Butte Traverse - 2 miles roundtrip
The trail can be a bit easy to lose but have no fear. If you stick to approximately the same altitude - neither ascending nor descending more than a few feet - you will eventually arrive at the north ridge line.
The trail disappears as you approach north ridge line. You will be awarded sweeping views up and down the Lake Chelan valley. Return the way you came.
Little Butte Loop
If you’d like some more exercise and a completely off-trail and looped experience, set your eyes on the top of Little Butte.
Before heading up, I like to continue to traverse westerly through a small gully which leads to another northerly ridge line and more views up-lake views.
Head south up the ridge line towards the summit. You will gain roughly 500 feet and be awarded on top with views in all direction.
Follow the ridge line heading east down towards the parking area. You will rejoin the Traverse trail roughly 800 feet from the road.
The Little Butte Loop - 2.35 miles round trip - 500 feet of elevation gain and loss
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