Road
This road wasn't as bad as I thought based on previous reports. Make no mistake it is a high clearance vehicle road past a certain point, but if you have high clearance it's actually a really fun drive. Just long and bumpy. I did encounter several large fallen rocks on a turn of FR 7030. I had to stop to roll them out of the road as there was no way around them and also too big to drive over. So be aware of rockfall hazard. I think the freeze thaw in the area has sent some rocks down this season.

There are large potholes, rocky sections and a few dips. The potholes are big and were frozen over.

The final two miles of the road were covered in frost, ice, and even had a fresh dusting of snow near the very top. Nothing that affected traction too much.

Trailhead
The trailhead itself is small, room for maybe 10 cars. There is a big dip right before the lot. No bathrooms so be prepared.

Lower Trail
The lower trail is easy, follows an old forest road through the woods. This section has a light dusting of snow and some ice. Nothing that would require traction.

Switchbacks and final ridge
After the flat portion the ascent begins. There is more snow on the upper switchbacks and also hard ice on some rocks. I worse my spikes just in case and felt more stable with them. Things were pretty dry, but very cold. Hard ice covering the grass and twigs and trees really told the story of how cold it has been getting up here at night and during storms.

There is maybe a half inch of snow on the trail along the summit ridge. Nothing deep and it's pretty dry powder snow, not icy or compact at all.

Summit/Lookout
The summit is stunning especially with the fresh snow and ice. However the wind was intense, big gusts coming from the north pushed me and the wind chill was also no joke. I took shelter from the wind on one side of the lookout to enjoy the view.

The lookout itself is in great shape, closed for the winter and covered with a layer of ice and dusted with snow. The catwalk was not slick at all.

The Return
I didn't see another person until I arrived back at the parking lot around 10:30am right as someone pulled into the lot. They were the only people I saw all day.

The road back down was worse than going up just because there was enough melt to make the hard packed mud in places slippery.

Not sure how much longer this one will be easily accessible before winter truly sets in. Really glad I got to see it with the snow it was really magical.

Snowy day to hike. Parked a few miles from the trailhead, roads are slippy and covered in snow.

It was snowing heavy by early afternoon. Amazing hiking in the snow.

@wta, please stop using plastic flagging tape. Use something that isn't as polluting. Leaving plastic flagging tape on any trail is disgusting, it breaks down into micro plastics and it's littering. There's many other options. Educate and lead by example.

There's large blue spray painted graffiti on the rock wall, just as you start to climb up. The people should be ashamed.

Road is as usual. Long, washboards, potholes, and miserable. Both the trail and the road are snow free. Moody, fall and wonderful. DO IT!

Kelly Butte fire lookout is out of service for the season-- closed up and resting until next June.  The trail is open and you can visit the lookout, but the shutters are down and everything is locked up. Please preserve this historic lookout for the future by not trying to pry up the shutters (even if the weather is bad, you are only 1.9 miles from your car) and not carving your initials in the railings or shutters (we are just going to sand them away)!

See you next June!

Toilet at TH: None (one wooden box toilet at the top, near the fire lookout)
Parking: Room for about 12 cars

Today I worked with WTA to do some maintenance on one of my favorite trails!

Fall weather was perfect and the colors were rich. Most of the crew did erosion prevention work and a small team spent several hours chiseling rock to create a step in that very large boulder on the switchbacks (if you know, you know). It's not done yet, but we've begun to create the shelf and add texture, which'll make it a little easier to step up/down.

The switchbacks are dusty and a little slippery, so take care and please leash your dang dogs! The trail is, as ever, an absolute stunner. Love you, Kelly Butte!