Ferry County High Point Trip Report

Copper Butte (7,140 ft)

Date: July 24, 2000
Author: Ken Jones

On Washington State Route 20 between Republic and Kettle Falls, find Forest Road 2030 (signed "Albian Hill Rd") at virtual milepost 323.7. Set your odometer at 0.0.

Head north on FR 2030. At 0.6, keep right. At 3.4, pass the signed Wapaloosie trailhead; at 3.7 and 3.8 keep left at forks signed "S. Deadman". Stay on the main road past various unmarked spurs. At 7.4 miles you'll find the signed "Old State" trailhead on your left. Turn left, cross a cattle guard, and park at the turnaround loop/trailhead sign in the trees about 0.1 mile off the main road.

The trail here is variously called the "Old State" or "Old Stage" road. Both are correct, because the stage road you will start walking on was the first state highway in Washington. A trailhead sign explains in more detail.

Hike the road (closed to motor vehicles, but could be Martinized if you have a horse and carriage) to the saddle at 6040'+. Continue just over the saddle (about 50 yards) and pick up the Kettle Crest trail on the left. Head south, through a single set of switchbacks, to the top of the ridge. You'll find at least two benchmarks in the summit area. If the benchmark elevation is 7140', as indicated on the map, the actual county highpoint is probably 7142' or 7143'.

Round trip is about 4 to 5 miles with 1700' of gain.