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.

Park Butte is a popular trail and for good reason. It is in excellent shape, only 7 miles round trip, gains 2100 ft, and presents stunning views almost the whole way. It is only 2 hours drive from Edmonds to the trailhead. The trailhead has 2 well stocked outhouses and lots of parking. The trail starts relatively flat for the first mile, much of it on puncheon through colorful meadows. All the while the white giant of Mt. Baker looms overhead. The next half mile crosses an extensive rocky debris field from age old glaciers. It is slow going with ankle twisting stony tread. The temporary bridge over Rocky Creek is metal and easy going. Next the trail climbs many switchbacks up to Moritz Meadow. This is a most beautiful place. White and red heather compete for attention. The majestic white face of Mt. Baker looms overhead. Here the so-called 'Railroad Grade' climbs one side of a lateral morraine straight up the mountain in a series of well made stone steps. It is totally exposed and in 86 degree heat, a challenge. The Park Butte trail however, by passes the 'Grade' and loops through another gorgeous meadow full of heather and snow. The snow here is on its last legs and very slushy. The loop climbs up to a lookout about a mile beyond the "Grade". It is a stiff climb in the heat but well worth it. Atop the cliff is a regular fire lookout cabin furnished with bed and table first come, first served. The views all around are stunning. This trail is very well engineered and maintained. The clogged culverts are flagged and the constant tromp of people keep the tread well clear.

Park Butte is a popular trail and for good reason. It is in excellent shape, only 7 miles round trip, gains 2100 ft, and presents stunning views almost the whole way. It is only 2 hours drive from Edmonds to the trailhead. The trailhead has 2 well stocked outhouses and lots of parking. The trail starts relatively flat for the first mile, much of it on puncheon through colorful meadows. All the while the white giant of Mt. Baker looms overhead. The next half mile crosses an extensive rocky debris field from age old glaciers. It is slow going with ankle twisting stony tread. The temporary bridge over Rocky Creek is metal and easy going. Next the trail climbs many switchbacks up to Moritz Meadow. This is a most beautiful place. White and red heather compete for attention. The majestic white face of Mt. Baker looms overhead. Here the so-called 'Railroad Grade' climbs one side of a lateral morraine straight up the mountain in a series of well made stone steps. It is totally exposed and in 86 degree heat, a challenge. The Park Butte trail however, by passes the 'Grade' and loops through another gorgeous meadow full of heather and snow. The snow here is on its last legs and very slushy. The loop climbs up to a lookout about a mile beyond the "Grade". It is a stiff climb in the heat but well worth it. Atop the cliff is a regular fire lookout cabin furnished with bed and table first come, first served. The views all around are stunning. This trail is very well engineered and maintained. The clogged culverts are flagged and the constant tromp of people keep the tread well clear.

Hiked to Park Butte on a Sunday. Got a flat tire about 4 miles before the trail head. Road is not too rough but be careful - the was enough room to pull over and change to the spare, but it was very difficult to change out on the incline. Be careful when driving up! Hike itself is in great shape. The bridge about a mile into the hike is up (500lbs max weight) avoiding you the stream crossing some mention. There are few snow crossings and they're going fast. Lots of wildflowers. Some mud on trail. Careful with the hot days - there is not much shade and there is a lot of uphill that is completely open and brutal in the heat. We were going up pretty late on Sunday and loads of folks were coming down with backpacking packs and ice axes.

Access: Both Forest Service Roads 12 and 13 are in good condition with no potholes to speak of and minimal washboarding. Trail Conditions: From the trailhead to the junction with Railroad Grade, the Park Butte Trail is in good shape. After the junction, there are some sizeable snow patches to cross, but a clear bootpath traverses them all. The snow patches are neither steep nor exposed, so the only potential hazard is punching through the weakening snow. The final stretch to the lookout tower is a bit steep with loose dust and gravel, but is easily manageable. From Cathedral Camp to Mazama Park, the Bell Pass Trail is free of snow except for one small, easy-to-cross patch. A few sections of the trail are getting a bit brushy from some sun-loving wildflowers. A couple of spots are muddy, but they should dry out with a few days of warm, sunny weather. The shelter at Mazama Park is clean and in great shape as are the campsites there. I did not hike the Scott Paul Trail, so I cannot speak to its condition other than to say the Climbing Rangers were installing the suspension bridge over Rocky II on Sunday. Flora and Fauna: Not much wildlife activity on this busy trail. Saw a fawn and doe on the road to the trailhead, a couple chipmunks in the forest, and a hummingbird. Lots of wildflowers were blooming. Through Schreiber’s Meadow, lupine and pink heather dominate along with a slew of other flowers. The blueberry bushes are starting to get berries, but aren’t anywhere close to being ready to eat. Morivitz Meadow was full of both pink and white heather. Tons of flowers were blooming through the switchbacks down to Mazama Park as well. Views: On this sunny, cloud-free weekend, Mount Baker was out in all its glory. From the lookout tower, the Black Buttes, Twin Sisters, Glacier Peak, and Baker Lake are all within view.