Hike of the Week: Copper Butte

Sweeping views and sprawling meadows on one of Eastern Washington's highest summits

Copper Butte

Untarnished views from one of Eastern Washington’s highest summits




by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

July 7, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: Kettle River Mountain Range
Land Agency: Colville National Forest
Roundtrip: 9.5 miles
Elevation gain: 2,400 feet
Access: From Republic, head north on SR 21. Turn right on gravel County Road 284. In 3 miles bear left at a major junction, then bear right on FR2152. Proceed for 3 miles to FS 2040. Bear left onto FS 2040 and in 5 miles turn right on FS 250 signed “Marcus Trail No. 8.” In 1.5 miles, come to a small clearing-this is the trailhead.

Copper Butte is the highest summit in the Kettle River Mountains, Washington’s forgotten range. Of the several ways to reach this lofty eastern Washington peak, none is as beautiful as the Marcus Trail. Once part of a route extending to the small town of Marcus on the confluence of the Kettle and Columbia Rivers; only 3.5 miles of this trail remains. Use is light and mainly by four legged travelers-equestrians, cattle, and the occasional coyote.
The Marcus Trail provides you with a lonely trek deep into the heart of the Kettles. The view alone is worth the journey. The entire Kettle Range can be observed from its open summit. BC’s Rossland Range, Idaho’s Selkirks and western Washington’s Cascades can all be seen. But it is miles of alpine meadows that really make this hike supreme.
The trail begins in an open forest of giant ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. In .5 mile enter a large area that succumbed to a fire in the 1990’s. A mini-forest of lodgepole pine is slowly gaining on the blackened and silver snags. Fireweed adds a purple hue to the understory. Re-enter a mature forest of fir and larch; in 2 miles the trees begin to yield to hundreds of acres of resplendent meadows. Snow melts early here on these southern exposed slopes, so the flowers will be in full bloom by early summer. In 2.5 miles, come to a spring. The trail continues through glorious open high-country meadows. The views are good, but the floral show is outstanding.
After 3.5 miles re-enter forest coming to an intersection with the Kettle Crest Trail in a high saddle along the ridge (el. 6,400 ft). Turn left heading north 1.25 easy miles through open forest and more meadows to the summit of Copper Butte el. 7,140 feet. The summit once housed a lookout tower. Not much of it remains-but the view, and it is unlimited.

Copper Butte is one of the featured hikes in the book, Best Hikes with Dogs: Inland Northwest