One of the most spectacular settings in the entire North Cascades, Park Butte provides unsurpassed views of the snowy volcano Baker as well as inviting and outstanding high country that begs to be explored. The historical fire lookout, one of the few remaining in these parts, teeters on the edge of a craggy knoll offering Imax-like showings of Washington's third-highest summit. Come here in summer and play in fields of snow. Come in autumn and roam through fields scorched in crimson. But try to come on a weekday, for the crowds are legion at Park Butte, one of the top hiking destinations in the Northwest.

The trail immediately enters the 8000-acre Mount Baker National Recreation Area (NRA). Created through the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act, the NRA allows for snowmobile use in this otherwise nonmotorized protected area. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers would do better visiting a quieter corner of Mount Baker during winter months.

In 500 feet, come to a junction with the Scott Paul Trail, an alternative return route for strong hikers. Butte-bound hikers proceed left, crossing Sulphur Creek on a sturdy bridge. Enjoy easy walking for the first mile or so through pool-pocked Schriebers Meadow. In early summer, masses of mosquitoes prevent any dawdling.

Continue across flats of heather and hemlock, coming to Rocky Creek and its large outwashes. Fed by the Easton Glacier, this temperamental stream frequently changes course. Consequently, trail maintainers must constantly reconfigure crossings as bridges are often rendered useless.

Once across the silty waterway the trail enters stately old timber and begins swiftly climbing, reaching the upper junction of the Scott Paul Trail at 2 miles (elev. 4500 ft). Now through a thinning forest of yellow cedar and mountain hemlock, the trail gently climbs, breaking out into hopping-with-heather and bursting-with-blueberries Moritz Meadow.

At 2.4 miles the Railroad Grade Trail, a worthy side trip along the lateral moraine of the Easton Glacier, takes off right, reaching High Camp (elev. 5500 ft) in 1 mile. Park Butte lies left and soon comes into view. So too does giant snow cone Mount Baker, dwarfing its surroundings.

Frolic across alpine lawns and beside snowmelt ponds that reflect puffy white clouds and Baker's frozen face before making a steep little climb to yet another junction (elev. 4800 ft). Right heads down to Mazama Park, popular with equestrians and crowd-shunning hikers. Take the trail left for 1 mile of glorious ridge roaming through open parklands above shimmering tarns. Shortly after entering the Mount Baker Wilderness Area, reach Park Butte with its restored 1933 fire lookout.

By now Baker has dominated most of your attention. Views west to the Twin Sisters, down the Nooksack Valley, and all the way out to Boundary Bay are equally impressive. Linger awhile reading lookout journals, soaking sunrays from the lookout's wraparound deck, or just looking out to some of the most spectacular alpine scenery on the planet.