Park Butte, Railroad Grade — Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

With the gorgeous sunny weather, it was a perfect day to explore the south side of Mt. Baker. The unpaved forest roads 12 and 13 are almost pothole free. The TH parking was about 2/3 full at 8am with likely-minded hikers and campers. There was no snow left all the way to the wooden fire lookout and there was in place a wood plank bridge over the rushing Rocky Creek. Fresh trail improvement has been made with peeled poles and tamped soil so that the slope is more gradual. Some of the big steps may not be my cup of tea but I figure it would prevent erosion and be helpful for the other people and horses. Many thanks to the volunteer work parties! Wildflowers are blooming in the Moritz Meadow w/ Lupine, Fanleaf Cinquefoil, American Bistort, Mountain Daisy, Sitka Valarian, False Hellebore, Rosy Spirea, Arnica, Mountain Ash, etc. Once past the junction to the Railroad Grade trail, the landscape was dominated by Huckleberry and Mountain Heathers of Pink and White. Bees were busy hopping flowers but I did not detect any biting fly or mosquito. Before the final ascent to the lookout from its back side, there were a few tarns left that provide reflections of the Mt. Baker peaks as your photo op. They are to your left as the trail levels out from its climb and before it curves right. There was 360 degree view of Cascade peaks from the lookout displaying the fantastic summits of Mt. Baker, Shuksan, Glacier Peak, Rainier, and Twin Sisters. As ignorant as I am, I wish there were an illustration of "Cascade Peaks for Dummies" in the lookout for the roll call! Even as hikers are looking for mostly solitude while enjoying the scenery, a few of them did stop and carry a conversation with me. I appreciate that they shared their local knowledge, experiences, and love for nature and family with me! Dominating the skyline to the north, Mt. Baker could be seen puffing steams from its summit fumaroles - a gentle reminder that it is alive and fuming. Is it a beauty or a beast? Maybe both. There were numerous overnight campers in the lookout, Mazama Park, and Railroad Camp, with more on their way up in the afternoon. After reaching the knife-edged ridge on the Railroad Grade trail, I decided to turn back having checked out the U-shaped valley the greatly-receded Easton Glacier carved out in the past. On my way down, I sampled by the handful the abundant and sun-ripened Huckleberry by the trail in the Schriebers Meadow. It was a delicious and juicy treat on a warm and thirsty afternoon, and a memorable conclusion to a rewarding trip.