- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington, Hiking
Kamiak Butte: 100 Classic Hike of Washington
The Kamiak Butte on the Pine Ridge Trail brings hikers to panoramic views of the Palouse region from the second highest point in Whitman County. The trail is accessible year-round, but the best time to visit is from early spring when flowers are blooming to late fall when trees are changing colors.
If you’re looking for an excellent trail in Eastern Washington, Kamiak Butte is a fantastic choice.
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Complete Trail Guide to Kamiak Butte
In this guide, I will share everything you need to know about getting to the trailhead, available facilities, and what to expect along the route.
Let’s get into it!
General Information About Kamiak Butte
Trail Stats
Region: Eastern Washington
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 700′ gain
When to go: Year-Round
Pass/Permit?: None – Donations Welcomed
Dogs Allowed?: Yes
Bathroom: Yes
Trailhead Facilities
The Kamiak Butte Trailhead is located inside of the county park has plenty of parking, picnic benches, a small park, and toilet facilities.
Season to Visit
The trail is open for most of the year making it perfect for hikers wanting to remain active in the winter months.
However, in the winter the trail can become extremely icy so caution is advised.
Not sure what to bring hiking? Check out this post: 10 Essentials of Hiking
Hiking the Kamiak Butte Trail
Kamiak Butte County Park offers 5 miles of trail for visitors to enjoy plus picnic tables, camping sites, and a self-guided nature walk. On the Pine Ridge Trail hikers can bring the Self-Guided Nature Walk pamphlet with them to explore the 150 unique species of plants and animals on the Butte. This pamphlet can be found at the trailhead or here. If you choose to take a pamphlet at the trailhead, I would encourage you to either return it when you’re done or leave a small donation so the county can continue to provide these pamphlets.
The Kamiak Butte Trail, also known as the Pine Ridge Trail, takes hikers through a dense forest of Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, and Western Larch. If you’re unfamiliar with Larches, they are a deciduous conifer that turns a magnificent golden color in the fall. However what is most interesting about this butte is that the dense forest is only found on the North Facing Slope. Due to lack of direct sunlight from the steepness of the butte slope, snow melt is extremely slow allowing for the underbrush and trees to have water access as well as a cooler temperature throughout the year.
Here’s another 100 Classic Hike of Washington in Eastern Washington: White Bluffs
The Pine Ridge Trail brings hikers up a gradual slope before reaching the top of the butte. The back, north facing side, has a steeper descent.
A butte is a tall, flat-topped rock with steep-sides. Created through the process of erosion and the wearing away of the rock sides.
Surrounded by farmland, the Kamiak Butte seems to rise out of no-where. It provides picturesque views of the surrounding area.
Even though this trail is still accessible in the winter, hikers are cautioned to wear traction devices. The cool temperatures and regularly used trail causes any snow on the trail to become packed down and icy. When I completed this trail in January 2023 there was no immediate snow in sight. However, after only walking about a quarter mile up the trail, the full length of the trail was slick and challenging to navigate. Navigating down the trail along the north side was verging on treacherous. With no traction devices, I was sliding down the north side of the narrow trail that was covered with a foot of ice the entire way.
Many hikers who also did not have traction devices were holding onto trees to avoid sliding down the hill while hikers passed on the sides of them. When the local park employees put out a sign that says “Traction Devices Should Be Used on the Trail”, take it seriously.
I found this trail to be fun, accessible, and a great look into some of the hikes that Eastern Washington has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the Kamiak Butte Trail!
If you have any other questions, please drop them in the comment section and I would be happy to answer it.
How long does it take to hike Kamiak Butte?
The Kamiak Butte Trail takes people, on average, 1 hour to 1.5 hours to complete depending on trail conditions.
How high is Kamiak butte?
The highest point of Kamiak butte is 3,612 feet in elevation. Hikers gain 680 feet in elevation hiking from the base of the butte to the top.
What is Kamiak Butte made of?
Kamiak Butte is mostly composed of quartzite and a composition of argillite, siltite, and phyllite. You can learn more about the geography of the area here.
Should Kamiak Butte be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
I am hiking all 100 Classic Hikes of Washington, a collection of trails originally designated by Ira Springs and Harvey Manning. However, the question is, “Should Kamiak Butte be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?”
I believe that Kamiak Butte Trail should be a part of the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington. The trail was well maintained and provided a unique vantage point for hikers to take in the surrounding area. The Kamiak County Park is thoughtfully cared for and loved by many in the surrounding area.
To begin your own 100 Classic Hike of Washington journey, you can purchase the trail guide here.
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Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
