Four friends and myself set out into Mt Baker Rec area for an overnight backpacking trip. This hike is not too far from Mt Vernon and has an easy to find trailhead. We got to the trailhead at about 2 and the parking lot is huge but there were still cars parked down the road. Warning: we saw a sign saying Mazama Park is reserved for a group the weekend of August 16-17 2014, and so your campsites this weekend will be more limited. Fairly easy hike all around, though there was a steeper stretch that was tiring with full backpacks but fortunately it was in the shade. We skipped the railroad pass trail, though 2 of my friends went back after setting up camp and hiked it, and they liked that you can get up close to the glacier. That is the beauty of this trail system, there are several different side trails you can take and the whole recreational area is open so exploring is easy, not to mention so many different places to have lunch, hang out, and several different campsites. Bugs were only really annoying in the morning. And there is a little lake we almost missed, just east of Park Butte. Highlight was hiking up Park Butte after setting up camp in Mazama Park in time to watch the sunset from the lookout tower. I guess you can sleep there...there is a bed with pillows and everything. Anyway, great weekend, I loved this hike.

The trail to Park Butte is wonderfully maintained and my group and I walked by several happy and hardworking WTA volunteers working on the trail (thank you again). The first half mile of the trail was easy, but I soon realized that backpacking is not walk in the park. In addition to the weight, it was a rather hot weekend and a steady incline. But boy, the views are worth it! We didn't have too much trouble finding a place to camp. There were a good number of hikers and plenty of vehicles in the parking lot and along the road, but we must have all been well spread out on the trails. We ended up in the valley with breathtaking views of the mountains, after settling in we hiked up to the Park Butte fire lookout and enjoyed a great sunset that lit up Mt. Baker. The next morning we spent some time at the glacial lake at the bottom of the lookout before leaving. The rest of the trek down was great as it was mostly downhill. Park Butte is a wonderful introduction to backpacking as it is challenging, rewarding, and not mind/body crushing, and of course, a wonderful day hike as well.

The Woodland Park Zoo ladies hiked Park Butte today up to the Lookout Tower. This hike is a beautiful hike with fantastic views of Mt. Baker. Relatively easy to reach from Seattle. 2 1/2 hours from home to trailhead. Trail in great condition; bugs almost nonexistent; heather coming into bloom; blueberries beginning to ripen; and best of all there is a portable bridge for crossing the river. Very hot today. I didn't bring enough water and experienced a bit of heat exhaustion as a result. Was not able to make it to the tower but everyone else did. Phenomenal panoramic vistas from there. From the trailhead one can do the John Paul trail, Railroad grade (up to a crevasse), or Park Butte. Something for everyone. When you are done treat yourself to a bite at Birdsview Burgers. Turn left when you get back down to Highway 20 and it will be about 1/8 of a mile on your right. Great food and great shakes!

Road Clear, no potholes. Trail is well marked and easy to follow. No obstacles encountered. 2 hr 20 min to Park Butte Lookout. 1hr 40 min back to trail-head.

Park Butte trail on the south slopes of Mt. Baker is an easy 7 mile round trip, 2100 ft. gain. The trail is well maintained and in excellent shape. The few problem areas are flagged for repair. The road up to the trailhead (which is also the trailhead for the Scott Paul trail) is gravel with no pot holes or washboards. It took us exactly 2 hours from Edmonds to the trailhead. Note: The gas station just west of the Mt. Baker road charges only $3.59 per gallon! The trail starts out through meadow for about a mile. Red and white heather, buttercups, lupine, and penstamin provide outrageous color with the big white dome of Mt. Baker looming over all. The next half mile is stony glacial debris which is rough on ankles. There is a temporary metal bridge over Rocky Creek. After the debris field the trail climbs many switchbacks to another glorious meadow. Here is the so-called Railroad Grade series of rock steps that go straight up the ridge of a lateral morraine. This is the usual ascent route for climbers attempting the summit. There were 12 of them this sunny day. From the meadow the trail meanders in and out of slushy snow fields and up steeply to the lookout. To say the views from the lookout are spectacular is an understatement. The entire south flank of Mt. Baker from bottom to top is presented before you. The peaks of the North Cascades line the eastern horizon. Glacier Peak and Pugh appear to the south. West is a very photogenic glaciated range of orange colored mountains.