The trail itself was great and well maintained. I want to add a side note warning to those who were wandering off onto the little side trails that take you to the Mt. Baker wash area. The trail I took didn’t have a closed sign on it. We got to a trail intersection where we did find a closed sign on the trail but no closed sign on a set of steps that went up the side of a cliff… turns out the stairs lead to NOTHING as the trail had quite literally fallen down the wash. Do NOT try to hike over to the wash edge. From the observatory the wash doesn’t look steep, it is. Don’t do it. VERY unsafe.

Road has big potholes and some rough exposed rock sections but passable. No snow/ice this morning. Car said the temp at the trailhead was 35-36.

We were the 4th car at 8:40 (might have been a van or two at camps sites). ran stocked toilets, and cleaning supplies inside so we can all help out. Ground through the meadow was hard and there was frost on the boardwalks. At the stream crossing, the first section (that never has a bridge), it was shallow but rocks were icy which made it a bit tricky. Second section where the bridge was out was actually easier because there were larger rocks where we crossed, more out of the water and not icy.

Started to see traces of snow as we began the switch backs and then it became mostly continuous (half inch or a bit more) by the last switchback approaching the junction with the Scott Paul trail. Some bits were slick but manageable. Had microspikes but didn't get them out (should have for the first part of the stream crossing). Up to railroad grade snow depth increased a bit, mix of ice and water on the trail.
After the junction to railroad grade and the nice section through the trees you descend to the wetland. There was a lot of standing water, running water and some ice. As you head up from there still a ton of berries - thanks to the folks who pointed them out on our way down. Iciest section was the rocky stair section in the shade before the tarns but manageable. Last section was all snow. Cold wind blowing at the lookout and we didn't stay long. Just long enough for my husband to spot a proposal a little ways below from the couple that had been the first to the lookout that day.

Saw lots more folks on the descent but still a lot of quiet. Unfortunately a party with several large dogs off leash. Not a comfortable feeling to be approached by unknown dogs with owners not in eye sight.

Things were melting, the section below the railroad grade junction was a bit of a stream. Much less slippery at the stream crossing as well

All in all a lovely day.

Beautiful fall foliage hike. Tons of huckleberries towards the top. We ended up going up to railroad grade instead of the lookout. Left around 10am, returned to the car at 2:30pm. Caution: Seasonal bridge was removed today.

The forest service road with has plenty of pot holes but easily passable for all cars.

Weekend trip spending two nights on the base of Mt Baker. First night along Railroad Grade campsite. Standard PNW fall weather or fog, wind, clouds. It's fall berry season so millions of tasty ripe blueberries. Ate them by the handful, added them to my granola, took some home.

Second night at Mazama Shelter campsite. Clouds moved away overnight and turned cold but rewards with fantastic views. Stopped at Park Butter lookout on hike out.

The road in is potholed and rough, but i think most vehicles would be fine. We drove around many of the larger potholes. This trail is brethtaking. Today the ground was damp so we had no dust from the trail. It was surprisingly uncrowded. The temperature was perfect for a hike (65 f or so) with little wind. Blueberries carpeted the area and they were ripe and sweet. A creek crossing was challanging for some. We hiked upstream and found a good spot to rock hop across. On our way back we found some kind soul had made a crossing out of wood. Once at the Lookout there were people, but plenty of room to check out the lookout and surrounding views. Mount Baker maintained a cap of clouds just above the bottom of the glaciers but we even got some sun.