An excellent loop that doesn't really go anywhere, unless you count miles of brilliant alpine meadows and rugged glacial moraine slopes as worthy destinations. Enjoy a scenic journey at the base of Mount Baker, complete with breathtaking close-ups of the hulking volcano as well as sweeping views of the surrounding sea of North Cascades peaks.

Start your hike on the Park Butte Trail, entering the 8000-acre Mount Baker National Recreation Area (a sort of wilderness-light). Soon come to a junction with Scott Paul Trail No. 603.1. Combined with the first 2 miles of the Park Butte Trail, one of the finest day-hiking loops in the North Cascades can be made. For maximum viewing pleasure and minimum descent discomfort, it's best to loop clockwise.

So, follow the Park Butte Trail left through Schriebers Meadow, across the gravelly outwash of Rocky Creek, and then up a forested ridge to the upper junction with the Scott Paul Trail (elev. 4500 ft). The trail is named in honor of a national forest trails and wilderness coordinator who died in an accident in 1993; it was Paul who conceived of and helped build this trail.

Heading northeast, the trail skirts the Railroad Grade, glacial moraine deposited by the receding Easton Glacier. The impressive fluted heap of tilled rock and soil looks like a train trestle marching up the mountain. Chugging under the Railroad Grade the trail makes a slight descent to Rocky Creek where a suspension bridge from July through September safely transports you across (crossing can be dangerous without the bridge-check with the Forest Service to make sure it's in place).

Now begin climbing. On the way up Metcalfe Moraine, on a slow and sometimes rocky route, the snout of Easton Glacier and Baker's Black Buttes come into view. Gray gives way to green as moraine yields to meadow. Views! Baker breathes down upon you. Look back at the Railroad Grade, Park Butte, and the Twin Sisters.

Reaching a high point of 5200 feet, the trail contours the glacier-clad volcano. For the next 2 miles, undulate between moraine and meadow, rock gardens and parklands. Hovering at an elevation of around 5000 feet, it's pure alpine splendor. Gaze out to Sloan, Glacier, Pugh, Whitehorse, and Three Fingers-all distinguishable peaks on the southern horizon. You'll encounter several creeks along the way-easy rock hops or tricky boot soakers, depending on recent rainfall and snowmelt.

Eventually begin losing elevation to arrive at a meadowed saddle (elev. 4600 ft) offering outstanding views of Baker's "pointy peak,"Sherman and Mount Shuksan looming in the distance. Now on excellent tread, commence an easy on the knees descent through huckleberry patches and giant hemlock groves to close the loop and arrive at the trailhead in 2.5 miles.