We took no snowshoes, but snow covered the trail for the last 1/4 - 1/3 of the hike. When you enter snowfields and lose the official trail you can look up and see the lookout to your left (West, I think). We made our way to the lookout over snow - not really following the trail for some of the time. It might help to have poles, but we didn't have any. I'd recommend a weekday if you plan to stay at the lookout overnight, however a friend was there over a weekend recently and found it empty. We brought a tent just in case. The snow is likely keeping hikers away - we saw a number of climbers though. The view from the lookout is amazing in all directions - if you plan to stay overnight, hopefully you are not a clean-freak. The place is not exactly hotel-like. : ) Also, although we had perfect weather during the day, it was fairly windy and rained overnight with some distant lightning which made sleep more difficult. Just remind yourself that the building has been there a long time. Also, be prepared as the bridge is out. Old shoes and towel was recommended at the trailhead, but we made it over without wading. Bring bug spray as well. They weren't terrible, but spray was necessary for us.

Still lots of snow, some at trail head, half way through the switchbacks route finding is needed, Scott Paul turnoff hard to find, winter route still being used. That said it was easy to get through and we made it to the lookout, in the distance railroad grade was snow free mostly, we hit good snow the whole trip sun and clouds, great day out, very few people

The trail was incrediblily colorful, bright reds and oranges in all directions. Visibility was very limited, never more than 200 hundred feet. Trail was in good shape. Moderate to heavy rainfall the whole way up. The hiking register indicated no one was headed to the top. 2 hikers passed us and we agreed we would share the lookout for the night. Once we got to the top it was occupied by a couple who intended to make it their love shack for the night and they had no plans of sharing. We turned around and headed back to the closet camp sites, already saturated, and set up tents and cooked in a rain storm. For me, worst night of camping ever. Torrential rain all night with high winds most of the night. Skipped breakfast, packed in a rain storm and hiked out. Thought I had pretty good rain gear, Arterix backpack, useless. Northface rain jacket, useless. 2 different Marmot rainjackets both useless. I thought I was prepared. They only thing that did not leak was my Navaro bike pants. Would love to have somebody tell me a truely waterproof jacket. May Karma strike the love couple!!

The forecast is for the weather to finally change to rain, so time to visit one of the best Fall hikes near Mt Baker. Easy drive to trailhead, only 9 miles of gravel road that is in good shape. The trail to Park Butte is in great shape. Its about an hour to turnoff to Railroad grade, then another 30 minutes to Park Butte. Its a wonderful vista to roam with Mt Baker dominating the northern landscape...glaciers tumbling off the flanks of the mountain. The tarn would be wonderful to visit early in the morning for the sunrise. We then hiked over to turnoff to Railroad grade and up the steps into the upper meadow...stunning Fall colors and vistas. A short stoll and then up the narrow trail ascending the edge of the morraine to Easton glacier. About half way up, there is a left turn to go to the High camps...great little campsites situated in the trees overlooking the glacier with views into the North Cascades to east and south. We turned around whan the trail resumed the climbers route and got back down before darkness. Great area to visit now til November...no bugs and not crowded.

I went for a short over night at Park Butte. Camped below Park Butte at (Cathedral camp?) There is a not very private privy available at this camp site. Although at the trail head Blue bags are encouraged. Worth noting Rockey Creek has no bridge while it was easy to step over on Saturday Morning, Sunday afternoon it was a brown muddy frothing torrent. Fortunately there is a narrow log to cross on. I would not be surprised if the log it self would be unusable during high water in the after noon heat. Other wise the trail is easy and in great shape.