Top Three Off-Trail Family Hikes on the Chelan Butte
Views, History, and Expansive Lands Await
Do you enjoy getting off the beaten path? Looking for a little adventure for the family and friends? Here are three of my favorite off-trail hikes on the Chelan Butte. Spring or fall, these hikes deliver wildlife, pioneer history, and incredible views.
Lucas Homestead
Nestled on the south side of the Chelan Butte, the Lucas Homestead was constructed in the 1920s by my great-great-grandfather Frank Lucas and his family. The short 1.3-mile hike into the now crumbling brick homestead is worth every step. Wildflowers greet you in the spring and coveys of quail and mule-tailed deer watch your progress in the fall.
Cars park on the shoulder of Downey Canyon. No trailhead exists. An old service road forms the trail route that rises up to the top of a ridge before descending to the homestead.
Frank Lucas selected this remote site because it contained a spring surrounded by clay-rich hills. Mixing the clay and water, Frank and his family formed and fired the bricks to build their two-story home.
This hike is best in late April through May. Fall outings to the homestead are best from mid-September through early November. (Here is a recent post with more info about this hike.)
Little Butte Loop
A mile east of the Lucas homestead, Little Butte offers a pleasing 2.2-mile loop with 500 feet of elevation gain. Up lake views across the south shore basin stretch in amazing relief.
Cars park at the Butte saddle. The rudiments of a game trail exist for the first mile and an expansive viewpoint awaits. The view point is a good turnaround point for kids seven and younger. Older kids will appreciate the short hike up through open fields to the Little Butte summit. (See the Little Butte blog post for maps and more details.)
In addition to vistas of Lake Chelan, the Little Butte Loop offers panoramic views of the Columbia River, the Waterville Plateau, and Badger mountain.
Penstock Plateau
The Chelan Dam was installed in the late 1920s. A massive underground “penstock” tunnel carries water from the dam to the Chelan Powerhouse 2.2 miles away at Chelan Falls. The 2-mile Penstock Plateau hike travels directly over portions of the penstock.
In one location, a tailing pile is visible displaying the rock removed during the penstock construction.
Cars park in the Reach One Trailhead in South Chelan. The route diverges from the Reach One trailhead and arcs around a knoll to the east. After crossing the county dirt road, the route gains altitude. The destination is a gently sloping plateau with views up and down the valley.
A spring knapsack picnic could not be enjoyed in a more prettier location than the Penstock Plateau!
Off-Trail Guidelines
Heading off the trail requires high vigilance from all hikers. Feet should be placed with care on the ground to prevent ankle sprains. Sturdy boots should be worn to protect feet in the event of a twist. Long pants should be worn to protect legs from scratches. And in the hotter months, keep your eyes open for snakes. This is their home too!
