Park Butte Trail & Railroad Grade, Mt Baker

Well, I am posting this a little late, because I got behind on my blog! (big surprise!)

Hike Name: Parke Butte Trail / Railroad Grade Trail
Round-Trip Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2200 ft
Season: Mid July - Oct
Difficulty: easy - moderate
Forest: Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Contact: Mt Baker Ranger District (360)856-5700
Map: Green Trails # 45
Directions: Head east on Hwy 20, for 23 miles. Left on Baker Lake Road. Drive 12 miles. Left on FS Road12. Drive 3.5 miles. Right onto FS Road 13 (called "Mt Baker National Recreation Area"). Drive 5.2 miles to end of road to find trailhead. A few first-come, first serve campsites available at trail head.

I did this as a day hike, but you could do this as an overnight backpack. I would then recommend going on a weekday for sure.

This was a beautiful trail with stunning close-up views of the south side of Mt Baker, culminating in a lookout tower with spectacular views. (You can stay in the lookout tower overnight if you get there first. I arrived at 3:30pm and still no one had gotten there, but 15 minutes later a few guys did claim it.) I am writing this after the fact (I did the hike on July 31), but I remember going on a Friday, and seeing maybe 10 folks. This is a somewhat busy trail, but it was still very pleasant (albeit on a weekday). Well maintained in most places. There was a significant series of stream crossings that would have been very tricky wearing boots, but I took my choco sandals along and just walked right through that whole area with no problems. I would recommend hiking poles or walking stick for this area, and sandals. I did see a group doing it in boots, but it stalled them quite awhile, so I was happy to have my sandals. Bugs were not bad. Wildflowers still in great showing. There are two directions you can take from the trailhead - both meet up to get you to the same destination. For this trip I tried the southern most route (So from the trail head, taking the left-most trail.)

On my way back, I did a side trip up the Railroad Grade Trail, and walked maybe 20 minutes out, just to take a more close-up look at the Easton Glacier. There were a number of great campsites along this route that would be great.

This was a good work out, but not too taxing and not too easy - perfect for a nice day out on the trail, with rewarding views right from the very start!! Good for taking out-of-town friends out maybe! Zillions of photo ops!

Yellow Aster Butte: my new fave.

Hike Name: Yellow Aster Butte
Round-Trip Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2550
Season: July - Mid Oct
Difficulty: easy - moderate
Forest: Mt Baker Snoqualmie
Contact: Glacier Public Service Center (360) 856-5700
Map: Green Trails- Mt Shuksan # 14
Directions: Take 542 East from Bellingham, 34 miles to Glacier Public Service Center. Continue east 13 more miles, then turn left on FS road 3065 aka "Twin Lakes Road." (This actually takes off from tbe Dept of Transportation's Garage parking lot, be on the lookout.) Bear left at an unmarked junction, then continue 4.5 miles to trailhead.
** TAKE BUT JUICE ** BITING BLACK FLIES THROUGHOUT.
-- Streams run near the top, and you can pump water there.

Wow.

I think I've mentioned how I've been trying to stay "closer to home" these last few months, exploring the Mountain Loop Highway along with Highway 2. Which has been quite fun and rewarding, and has meant minimal drive time (which is nice when you only have one day to hike.)

However.

In the back of my mind lingered thoughts of "the big peaks." I kept checking trail reports. "Snow." "Ice." "Road inaccessible except to 4-wheel drive."

But this time, Kim was looking through my books for ideas, and she said, "how about Yellow Aster Butte? Is that open?"

I checked the forest service website for Hwy 542 out of Bellingham, only to discover that Yellow Aster Butte was open!! Small patches of snow remained near the top, but it was hikable!

Hwy 542 has always been magic to me... it is my "Avenue of the Giants," with trails leading to jaw-dropping views of the big peaks - Shuksan, Baker, Whatcom, Challenger, Bacon, etc...

And I had kind of forgotten how spectacular this area really is, and why, in years past, I have not hesitated to spend the 3+ hours driving each way to get there.

Yellow Aster Butte is simply a divine hike. The first 1.5 miles climbs quickly and you will sweat, but at about 2 miles you break in to sunny hillsides, thick with wildflowers, and your views of Baker & Shuksan start to open up. My excitement level rose so much that I had to stop and catch my breath simply because I was hyperventilating out of sheer delight. Tears came to my eyes. Views expanded, and expanded, and expanded. After rambling around in gentle hillsides, meadows, and snowfields, we broke up to a "shelf" area, just below the Aster Butte Summit, which made a beautiful lunch spot. Looking down to the east, there were gorgeous rambling meadows strewn with sparkling tarns that have recently melted out. Jewels sparkling in the sun. Tiny trails, "conversation trails" as my ex used to call them, just beckoning to be explored. We regretted not lugging our overnight gear up here, even though thunderstorms were predicted. Next time, we vowed.

After finishing lunch, we decided to make the final push to the top of the Butte, which is steep but quite manageable and relatively short distance. And WOW do the views expand!!! Just when we thought we couldn't be any more amazed, we found ourselves stunned. Expansive views opened 360 degrees, and I took about a hundred pictures, speechless.

If you're looking for wildflowers, this is the hike. If you're looking for views, this is the hike. If you're looking for sweet places to camp (near the tarns), this is the hike. If you want exercise but don't want to break your butt, this is the hike. Recommended beyond all belief - try to go on a clear day, so that you can see the views.

I know I'll be up there a few more times this season, checking out the color changes and soon-to-be huckleberries. Wow.

Great New Books this Season!

As you know, I'm a hiking book junkie. Here is a great new series that the Mountaineers Press just put out. I have been thumbing through these constantly lately, looking for day hike ideas along Hwy 2 and the Mountain Loop Hwy.

To purchase, go to The Mountaineers Books site. You can also find them at REI. I happened to see one at Cascadia Farms on my way back home from Hwy 20.

Also great is the classic "100 hikes" series put out by the Mountaineers. For instance, I often use the book 100 Hikes in the Glacier Peak Region

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Alpine Lookout! Look out for - BUGS!! and views!

Hike Name: Alpine Lookout / Round Mtn / Nason Ridge
Round-Trip Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 2600 ft
Season: Mid June - Oct
Difficulty: easy - moderate
Forest: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Contact: Leavenworth Ranger: (509)548-6977
Map: Green Trails # 145
Directions: Go east on Hwy 2. Then 1/2 mile past the Nason Creek Rest Area, take a left on an easy-to-miss road with a row of mailboxes (Road # 6910). Continue up (avoiding side spurs) to the trailhead, about 4.5 miles up from Hwy 2.

Wow.

So, I am a hiking book junkie, and I bought the new book on day hikes in the Central Cascades, and saw this hike: Alpine Lookout. Touting sweet views of Glacier Peak, Lake Wenatchee, Sloan, Mt Daniel, Entiat & Chelan ranges, etc. This year so far, I've been trying to concentrate on the Mountain Loop Hwy, and Hwy 2 for day hikes. This was a bit more of a drive on Hwy 2 (past Stevens Pass), but seemed worth it.

And by golly, I love this hike. HOWEVER. We were BRUTALLY ATTACKED by giant SWARMS of mosquitoes!!! The entire hike!! So much so that it was hard to eat our lunch!! So BE WARNED!! Take bug juice (which we forgot)! My arms, 3 days later, still look diseased on account of receiving so many bites.

HOWEVER. This is truly a wonderful day hike - it does climb, but is not the relentless switchbacks through forest, that we are used to on so many hikes. This alternates between beautiful woods and flowery meadows, even meandering through an old burn, which is also silvery and scenic. The views never cease to disappoint throughout, and there are even supposedly mountain goats that live out at the lookout (which we didn't see, but the ranger said are usually there). I highly recommend this hike! Take lots of water, as you will climb and sweat, and there is no place to pump more water throughout the entire hike, except perhaps right near the bottom at a tiny stream.

Wildflowers galore!! Views galore!! And the lookout is great! It is still an active fire lookout, so there is a ranger there all the time. He was really nice and let us use some bug juice for our descent!

Trail was completely snow-free at this point. This really feels like the true "East Side Forest," drier, Ponderosa Pines, beating sun, etc!

What to do on a rainy day? Lake Serene?

Hike Name: Lake Serene / Bridal Veil Falls (click here for forest service description)
Round-Trip Distance: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1920 ft
Season: May - Nov
Difficulty: easy
Forest: Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (click here for current conditions)
Contact: Skykomish Ranger District (360)677-2414
Map: Green Trails # 142
Directions: Go east on Hwy 2 to Gold Bar. Continue 7 more miles to just before milepost 35, then turn right on Mt Index Road. Veer right to trailhead.

Well.

This was my "birthday weekend" hike, so Kim and I had wanted to do something cool, overnight with awesome views.

However, when we left Seattle, the rains had already started, with thunder and even lightening thrown in.

So we knew we wouldn't get any views. And we'd be really wet and cold wherever we camped. So we instead opted for an "easy way out" and decided on a day hike, and then to camp down in the valley at a campground. I know, this is a cop-out way, but...

We had decided to meander along Highway 2 this time, so we picked Lake Serene.

Really really busy hike, with LOTS of cars in the parking lot. Just outside of Index, near Skykomish. Not sure why I picked this one, but...

Unfortunately, the whole day was so foggy that we didn't even catch a glimpse of the lake even when we were standing 4 feet in front of it! But the forest along the way, and the waterfalls, were absolutely bright green and gorgeous, so -- it's better than being inside on a day off!! Seriously though, the forest is really pretty along the way. And it is a good workout regardless! The trail is very nice, and since it is high-traffic, there are even steps built in for part of the incline.

A good beginner hike, if you're looking for one in the future! A calorie-burner, but not at all scary or difficult.

Then we camped down along Money Creek, which actually was quite nice for a campground. Think it was $18. We stopped at the creepy old restaurant in Skykomish and got a warm dinner and a beer before climbing into our wet tent that night!

Mt Pugh, who knew?

Hike Name: Mt Pugh (to Stujack Pass this time) (click here for forest service description)
Round-Trip Distance: 7.4 (to the Pass) 11 miles (to top)
Elevation Gain: 5300 ft
Season: July-Oct
Difficulty: taxing but not too bad
Forest: Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (click here for current conditions)
Contact: Verlot Public Service Center (360) 691-7791
Map: Green Trails # 111
Directions: (from Darrington end) take the Mtn Loop Highway 12.4 miles. Turn left at Forest Service Road 2095 and continue 1.5 miles to the trailhead.

Nate and I only had one day off together, so we decided to drive out to the Mountain Loop again and explore some more. We were able to leave Seattle the evening prior, just because we wanted to camp outdoors before our hike the next day. There are quite a few lovely campgrounds along the Mountain Loop in which to camp, so we picked one not too far from the Verlot Public Service Center. We paid $18 I believe, but had a wonderful site by a creek and weren't bothered by other campers at all.

Then the next morning, we drove around the mountain loop (towards Darrington), stopping many times to take pictures of the peaks and the rivers, until we reached the trailhead to Mt Pugh. The ranger station had told us that this trail was snow-free up to Stujack Pass, and that even from the Pass, it was worth the hike (for the views!) Very few cars at the trailhead. Only saw 5 people all day - all of them looked to be over 55 yrs old, which always makes me happy (I hope I'm doing an awesome hike at that age.)

This hike was quite a bit more taxing than Nate's previous hike (Lake 22). Perhaps I threw him into the gauntlet a little too early! The trail climbs, climbs, climbs through forest, with many switchbacks, until finally breaking through trees and onto sunny hillside and talus slopes (elevation 4900 ft). For those not used to hiking on the steep sides of mountains, looking down can be a little frightening. Nate wished he had proper boots and a walking stick, so that he could better steady himself. But the views were AMAZING in all directions, and the wildflowers were gloriously starting to bloom! Lupin, paintbrush, columbine, etc. Amazing views of Sloan peak, Whitehorse and Three fingers, and (at Stujack Pass) Glacier Peak and Mt Baker. Absolutely wonderful hike! Stujack Pass is at 5750 ft.

We saw a few campsites at the area where the hike breaks out of the trees, perhaps a mile from Stujack Pass. But we did this as a day hike.

Gorgeous weather - a little breezy and chilly at the Pass. And lots of snow continuing from the pass (so I did not continue up Mt Pugh). Not a great hike for a total beginner, but for experienced hikers this is a wonderful day hike. And later in the season I'm sure you could continue up to Mt Pugh with less snow to deal with. But the views are still worth it.

Not much water access, so take plenty. You do pass a somewhat stagnant lake about 1.5 miles into the trail. I did get some water there on the way down (used my filter), and it didn't taste too fresh!

We didn't have any bugs! Make sure to use sunscreen. And prepare to burn calories, this is a good workout!

Goat Lake - first overnight trip of the season!

Hike Name: Goat Lake (click here for forest service description)
Round-Trip Distance: 10.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400 ft
Season: Late-May through early Nov
Difficulty: easy
Forest: Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (click here for current conditions)
Contact: Verlot Public Service Center (360) 691-7791
Map: Green Trails # 111
Directions: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Hwy east for 31 miles to Barlow Pass and end of pavement. Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead.Continue f.or 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 4080. Follow this for 0.8 miles, then take trailhead for Elliott Creek Trail #647.

Well, Kim and I decided to try another hike off of The Mountain Loop Highway, and we wanted to be able to camp overnight at our destination, for the first time this year. We had done Goat Lake years ago, before the Mountain Loop was closed. We remembered it to be a pleasant hike up - not too steep, but just long enough to be more than a "walk." The first few miles are quite flat and shady, and then the trail starts to climb towards the end.

The trail splits into an Upper trail and Lower trail - the Upper Trail follows the old logging road and is very flat, the other follows the creek and is a little more varied, although still very nice trail.

Camping at the lake were 4 other groups, and we didn't really enjoy much solitude. However the lake itself is quite large and stunning, and the weather was great and sunny. We did not encounter any snow. No bugs, hooray! We did get a bit chilly at night, and Kim was cold inside of her sleeping bag. I brought a fleece and long-sleeve to sleep in, and was fine.

This would be a great day-hike as well as a beginner's over-nighter. A great hike to use to "test" your backpacking strength - first time out with an overnight pack for the season, etc. Also a good "test hike" to see what items you have forgotten to pack! For instance, I forgot my hat and gloves. I say this because if you do forget something, there will likely be others camping nearby, and you could always borrow something if you are desperate.

All in all a great time, wonderful to be outside again - to wake up by this beautiful gem of a lake!!