Yellow Aster Butte — Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Drove to Glacier and spent three lovely nights at a Lodge with swimming pool and hot-tub. Much better than making this a very long day driving round-trip from Seattle - which is what I did two years ago. Then, it was blueberry season and bears - this time it was solitude and abundant wildflowers. After a leisurely morning, we arrived at the trailhead at 11am. A couple very small snow patches from trailhead to Tomyhoi junction. Then the impressive views a few larger snow patches and mozying on up to the base of Yellow Aster Butte. This time, hiked all the way to the top - not recommended for those afraid of heights and not much more to view than what you see along the trail. Had lunch, returned to trailhead at 5pm and was soaking in hot-tub at 5:30. Bliss! Eaten alive by bugs at Skyline Divide the previous day - no bugs - flies or mosquitoes at YAB and the views are equally as stunning - just a tad further away. Last Forest Service report stated ice axes were recommended - snow was compact and easy to walk on. The FS does a wonderful job but their trail reports are a bit dated. Enjoy!