Devil’s Butte–A Frightful name but delightful hike in Lord Hill Park
Quick Facts
Location: Lord Hill Park near Snohomish
Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks
Roundtrip: 3.5 miles
High Point: 650 feet
Elevation gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Contact: Snohomish County Parks
Notes: Dogs must be on leash; trails open to bikes and horses
Access: From the city of Snohomish, exit SR 9 onto 2nd Street. Proceed east for a mile; then turn right onto Lincoln Ave which becomes the Old Snohomish-Monroe Highway. After about 2.5 miles turn right (south) onto 127th Ave SE and proceed for about 1.5 miles to park entrance and trailhead.
Good to know: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, snow free Winter Hikes, excellent trail running
Despite the demonic name, Devil’s Butte is actually quite a serene place. A quiet corner of Lord Hill Regional Park, it’s definitely not a playground for the Prince of Darkness. And Lord Hill, named after an early settler and not a deity is indeed a heavenly place. Comprising of more than 1,460-acres of forested slopes, lush ravines, rocky outcroppings, scores of wetland ponds, and a wild undeveloped stretch of the Snohomish River, this park is an immense natural area and just minutes from Everett. With over eleven miles of trails and several more miles of old woods road, this former Department of Natural Resources Property provides countless hiking options. And the one to Devil’s Butte is one of the quieter destinations.
From the trailhead follow the main trail through a cool forest of big trees, dropping into a marshy depression. A series of boardwalks will help keep your boots from getting wet. At .4 mile, come to a junction with the Beaver Lake Trail. Turn right here and continue on the main trail. After .3 mile, come to a junction with the West View Trail. Take it veering right on what was once an old woods road now a pleasant path through maturing forest.
After another half mile or so and some gradual climbing you’ll reach yet another junction—this one with the Devils Butte Loop. You’ll be returning from the right, so continue straight to the West View. Here you’ll be granted a pleasant albeit limited view north to Mount Baker. The trees are growing in, so don’t wait too long to do this hike if you seek a view as a reward for your hiking efforts. The biggest draw to this hike is its solitude as most Lord Hill visitors head to other more popular locations.
Now either retrace your steps or head right on the Devils Loop Trail. Ignore a side trail heading to the butte’s actual summit which is outside of the park boundaries, capped with two large towers and viewless. The loop trail drops into a pretty wetland area before climbing back up to meet the West View Trail. Head left here to return to the trailhead.
For more information on Lord Hill and other excellent snow-free winter trails throughout western Snohomish County, Camano Island, and Whidbey Island, pick up a copy of my Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books).
