Driveway Butte via trail

I parked at the Driveway Butte trailhead at Klipchuck Campground (about 15 miles east of Washington Pass on Highway 20) and headed up Driveway Butte trail (#481). Soon the trail started climbing up the ridge through open forest and meadows filled with bright, yellow balsamroot flowers. Silver Star Mountain slowly came into view as I gained elevation.

Around 4,800' the trail levels out and enters a burned-out section of forest. Green, spring grass and yellow glacier lilies contrasted with the charred trees.

The wide summit of Driveway Butte has 360 degree views. Three of the tallest 100 Washington mountain were in sight, North Gardner Mountain, Silver Star Mountain, and Robinson Mountain.

This was a very good spring hike. Except for a short north-facing section, the trail was completely snow-free.

Maps

• Greentrails map: Washington Pass (#50)
• USGS quad: Robinson Mountain
• USGS quad: Silver Star Mountain

Travel Times

• 3 hours 10 minutes driving there from Lower Queen Anne to Blue Lake trailhead
• 32 minutes driving there from Blue Lake trailhead to Klipchuck Campground
• 2 hours 41 minutes ascending from Klipchuck Campground to summit of Driveway Butte
• 1 hour 45 minutes descending from summit of Driveway Butte to break

Calypso Orchid on lower section of Driveway Butte trail

Driveway Butte trail

Silver Star Mountain from Driveway Butte trail

Arrowleaf Balsamroot on Driveway Butte trail

Ballhead Waterleaf on Driveway Butte trail

Burn on upper part of Driveway Butte trail

North Gardner Mountain from Driveway Butte

Robinson Mountain from summit of Driveway Butte

Glacier Lily on Driveway Butte trail