Park Butte
Aug 15, 2009
by
3dhiker3
—
last modified
Aug 17, 2009 09:21 AM
- Type of Outing
- Overnight
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Park Butte
- Region: North Cascades -- West Slope
- Agency: Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Baker Ranger District
- Trails: Park Butte (#603)
- Avg Rating: 4.26
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Ripe berries
- Be Aware Of
- Bridge out
- Water on trail
Two gal friends, a dachshound, and I began our overnight backpack on Saturday morning, with clouds overhead but with hope that they would clear. On the bright side, the clouds provided the coolness and kept the bugs away, for a rather pleasant hike. One of us had not backpacked since before she gave birth to her son (now 4 and a half) and she forgot to pack her new hikers, so with an extra pair of socks, she fit her 6.5 foot into a 9 shoe! That was one of many mishaps, but overall nothing we couldn't manage.
The adventure aside, one thing to note- there are nice car camping spots at the trail head if you venture for one night car camp and backpack or just day hikes- it is rather convenient. We didn't know this, and ended up driving the extra 12 miles along Baker Lake Road to the end of Baker Lake to camp at Shannon Creek on Friday night. It was nice enough but certainly the free and closeness of the spots at the trailhead would have been ideal.
On Sunday morning the weather was fantastic, we hiked a second trip up to the fire lookout at Park Butte for 360 degree views of Baker, the Twin Sisters, and off in the distance- Mt. Shuksan and Glacier Peak (to name a few). Lots of beautiful wildflowers as well, such as Purple Asters and Fireweed. And, at the trailhead, there are lots of huckleberries and blueberries- less so (at this time) higher up.
During the afternoon- the crossing along the creek was a little dicey- with water spilling over the trail, if you didn't want to get your feet wet, trying to balance a 40 pound pack with feet carefully balanced on wet rocks was tricky at best. Oh- add trying to do that with a dachshund in your arms- hmmm. But, we all survived.
Overall- an amazing trip, with lots of splended views (once the fog lifted), choice of nice camp sites- we stayed at Cathedral Camp at the saddle of Park Butte. Other better spots (but might not be "legal") are located at the tarns on the way to the fire lookout- good water source and views of Mt. Baker.
The adventure aside, one thing to note- there are nice car camping spots at the trail head if you venture for one night car camp and backpack or just day hikes- it is rather convenient. We didn't know this, and ended up driving the extra 12 miles along Baker Lake Road to the end of Baker Lake to camp at Shannon Creek on Friday night. It was nice enough but certainly the free and closeness of the spots at the trailhead would have been ideal.
On Sunday morning the weather was fantastic, we hiked a second trip up to the fire lookout at Park Butte for 360 degree views of Baker, the Twin Sisters, and off in the distance- Mt. Shuksan and Glacier Peak (to name a few). Lots of beautiful wildflowers as well, such as Purple Asters and Fireweed. And, at the trailhead, there are lots of huckleberries and blueberries- less so (at this time) higher up.
During the afternoon- the crossing along the creek was a little dicey- with water spilling over the trail, if you didn't want to get your feet wet, trying to balance a 40 pound pack with feet carefully balanced on wet rocks was tricky at best. Oh- add trying to do that with a dachshund in your arms- hmmm. But, we all survived.
Overall- an amazing trip, with lots of splended views (once the fog lifted), choice of nice camp sites- we stayed at Cathedral Camp at the saddle of Park Butte. Other better spots (but might not be "legal") are located at the tarns on the way to the fire lookout- good water source and views of Mt. Baker.
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