Snowshoe Butte is an unassuming peak with an amazing view; it is from here that Stampede Pass was first sighted.
Stampede Pass was discovered in 1881 by Virgil Bogue, a civil engineer working for the Northern Pacific Railway. Bogue's account of the discovery1 describes how Snowshoe Butte got its name:
"About January 1 of 1881, I received instructions from Colonel Isaac W. Smith to explore Tacoma Pass, which had been discovered by J.T. Sheets in the Autumn previous, and the range to the north of that pass to some point, which would cover all possible passes, that might lead out of the Green River, Washington in that direction."
"On the morning of March 16, we left Cabin No. 3, where we had been camped for our explorations in the vicinity of Tacoma Pass, to go along the range toward the north. We traveled on snow shoes, the men packing such provisions as we had. The snow was from seven to 30 or more feet deep. We followed up the main stream of Cabin Creek climbing to a point about 600 feet east of the range on the evening of the 16th, where we camped until morning. In the morning we climbed to the summit and followed the ridge to a high butte, which is south of, and overlooks Camp Creek and the headwaters of Sunday Creek. Here one of the men stumbled and fell down a steep slope, plunging in the snow."
"As his snow shoe was the cause of the fall, we named the mountain Snow Shoe Butte."
You are free to choose your own route. Following the historical account will get you there, but is not the easiest way to go! Regardless of how you proceed, be aware that you will be in a remote location far from a cellular tower. Do your homework before setting out, tell someone where you're going, and don't forget to bring the ten essentials.
Source:
1"Stampede Pass," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stampede_Pass&id=612112490.