Trail Description:
The Anderson Butte trail branches off from the trail to Watson and Anderson Lakes less than a mile from the trailhead and makes a great short hike into the sub-alpine. Unlike the main trail to the lakes, this is a narrow, rough use trail that starts off steeply and doesn’t let up until cresting the ridge marking the border of the Noisy Diobsud Wilderness Area. Steep switchbacks climb up through a lovely old-growth forest of huge firs and hemlocks, passing several views of rockslides and one small, open meadow. There are some slippery, rocky stretches and one short muddy patch. Parts of the trail are overgrown with brush and because it had rained in the morning, I got quite wet pushing through these sections. We also had to clamber over two large trunks that had fallen across the trail (see photos). Despite these minor obstacles, the trail was easy to follow and we were able to maintain a good pace.
When you reach the ridge top the character of the trail changes dramatically. The east side of the ridge is open, sub-alpine country with wonderful views of the deep valley and high mountains to the north and east (see photo). The true Anderson Butte looms above, directly to the east, but the trail turns west, following the ridge to a small, open, rock bluff above the Baker Lake Valley. You can only see a small inlet of the lake below, but the mountain views are wonderful. Mount Baker is directly west, Shuksan to the northwest, and Table Mountain and the High Divide between. Uncountable other peaks line the horizon to the south, west, north and east. There isn’t much room to sit atop the bluff, but we found a small flat area just beyond and below the peak with room for us and our dog to enjoy a long lunch, just enjoying the views.
General intel:
Although we were hiking on a Saturday, we only encountered four other hikers on the trail. The large parking lot had 13 cars in it when we arrived near mid-day, and 18 cars by the time we left shortly after 3:30. Clearly almost all the hikers had gone to the lakes and bypassed the side trail to Anderson Butte.
The toilet at the trailhead was clean and well-stocked.
The drive to the trailhead presents a bit of a challenge. FR 1107 is about 10 miles long and climbs steeply, especially near the end. It is a rough, winding dirt road with lots of sharp curves, rocks, dips and potholes. The last mile to the trailhead has loose dirt and is very steep and uneven (see photo). We appreciated our 4WD and high clearance.
It has been a great year for blueberries and huckleberries. Most of the berries in the lower meadow near the trail junction were over-ripe but they were still sweet and juicy up along the open east face of the ridge.
The fall foliage colors have not yet peaked but most of the blueberry bushes have turned purple-red, the mountain ashes have started to turn yellow, and some of the deciduous trees are starting to turn.
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