I did Pothole Butte after Maklaks. It was not on my list for this trip but you always should keep a back up plan if you have some extra time or one fails right?
I came from Sun Mountain Rd but this is easily accessed from 97 via FS RD 70. Take a left off RD70 at 42.95707, -121.87904. The SW side of the mountain is very steep and cliffs. We drove around the south side to 42.95635, -121.9501.
The hike is pretty much through a lot of old down logs (fairly easy to navigate around or over) and some low brush. It is a tough last 1/3mi or so. Steep while stepping over stuff. Mostly shaded. Excellent view of Mt Scott and the basin if you climb onto the sketchy boulder pile summit, or at least on that edge of the mountain. Also don't forget to look for the great view of Thielson coming down. Just below the boulders there is a very nice shaded flat to set up at.
de AG7GP
