Our WTA Volunteer Vacation crew hiked in to Mazama Camp over Cathedral Crag. Near the Crag, we met a WTA Back Country Response Team that was working hard to clean ditches and make the trail easy to hike on. When we got to camp, we found the shelter in great condition, with several recently built tent pads available. The meadow also makes good camping if it's not too wet. However, we remembered not to walk or camp on the very fragile heather - there were a couple of user trails leading to nowhere that were starting to show up. Over the week that we were there, we worked on the switchbacks between camp and Cathedral, clearing brush and widening tread. Most of the switchbacks are now much more passable for both hikers and horses. We also cleaned ditches and drainage up to Park Butte, a trail that is steep, but in pretty good condition. We worked for about a mile from camp toward Bell Pass, brushing, widening tread, and cleaning ditches. We also cut out most of the logs across the trail. The trail is now clear from Mazama Camp to Bell Pass except for one large log that is easy to step over. Might pose a problem for horses, though. The trail further out from camp to Bell Pass is still a little narrow in places, but passable. Mazama Camp is a very comfortable place to stay, with views of the Sisters and Mt Baker. Loved watching that blue moon set over the Sisters one morning! The Park Butte trail is beautiful, but busy. Lots and lots of folks on the trail, even during the week. And the lookout had someone staying there every night. We had some bugs on the trail and in camp, but maybe not as many as we expected. Only needed the head nets a few times during the week. The area was very popular with hikers who had their dogs with them. The huckleberries were just starting to ripen. The should be ready in the next couple of weeks. We only found a couple of salmon berries. All in all, a great week!

The trail to the lookout is in great shape. Through Schreibers Meadows, there were some ripe berries and some wildflowers, though they are certainly past their prime. The footbridge over Rocky Creek is sturdy, but requires an easy rock-hop or log-walk to reach. Beyond that, the climb to Morovitz Meadows is clear of any obstacles, except the occasional pile of horse droppings. Morovitz Meadows has just one lingering patch of snow across the trail, easy to cross. Water and mud remains on the trail where the snow has just recently melted. The final climb to the lookout is again clear of any obstacles (just watch out for some angry grouse). Due to the cloudy, foggy weather today, there were no views of Mount Baker from the lookout, but the lookout is a worthy destination in itself. Be sure to spend some time looking through the historical information in the lookout. Please remember that camping is only allowed at established sites in the National Recreation Area. There are plenty of sites to choose from at Cathedral Camp, Railroad Camp, Mazama Park, and High Camp. Also remember that dogs should ideally be on a leash, but if not they need to be kept close to the owner and under voice command.

Through Schreibers Meadows there are some wildflowers blooming, but no berries quite yet. The slanted footlog across Rocky Creek that was in place a few weeks ago has been replaced by a straighter, sturdier footbridge. However, a rock-hop or log-walk is required to reach the footbridge. The trail is now snow free with the exception of a couple small patches in Morovitz meadows which are easy to cross. Not many wildflowers were blooming in the upper meadows because it has so recently melted out.

There is a reason why I haven't seen many reports about Park Butte. SNOW! Although the route is virtually snow free up the trail to the Railroad Grade, from there to the cut-off toward Park Butte, the trail is still about 50% snow covered. Navigation is easy because of all the boot tracks. Still, poles are helpful across the snow. The designated campsite at Cathedral Pass is still over 90% snow covered. Want to take that great photo of Mt. Baker from the ponds on the left as you approach within about 1/2 mile of the actual lookout? You had better wait at least a week. Almost the entire basin is so covered in snow that you would not know that all those little ponds existed. However, the views from this area were still spectacular during the brief cloud-free weather we experienced. This hike is still one of the most spectacular and rewarding in the Cascades. Senior Pass Hiker One other note: Follow the mileage directions and don't rely on road signs. The first road sign we saw was on the last switchback about a mile and a half from the Moravitz Meadow trailhead parking lot.

Hit Park Butte look-out and railroad grade to climber's camp on an overnight trip Aug. 2-3. Park Butte--kicked steps to final approach to lookout. Melting out fast though. Railroad grade--clear all the way to climber's camp. We camped at Cathedral Rock camp--very buggy. Water was available as melt on top of the snow (so good!!)