Dock Butte, Blue Lake — Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

While a lot of the Puget Sound area was covered by a mostly high fog, about 6 miles into the Baker Lake Rd, it cleared off and there wasn't a cloud in the sky (very unusual)! I was taking my 5-yr old grandson on a hiking/picnic. It was a spontaneous decision, so we got a late start and didn't arrive at the TH until almost 2 PM; there was only one other car there and we met only two cars coming down and only one hiker/dog on the trail (probably lite use because of our late start). The first 1-1.5 miles on FS 12 road had significant potholes that were a little hard to see in tree shadows, but beyond turnoff to Schreiber Meadows, road was in pretty good condition for the next seven miles. We took the Dock Butte branch first, and as expected, it was relatively steep with a lot of rocks and tree roots. We encountered snow at about 1.4 miles in, so we stopped there because grandson didn't have good traction boots. Had some nice peekaboo views of Mt.Baker/Shuksan and some Fall color. A few damp spots on trail, but no running water. Went back down and took the Blue Lake trail; trail was in pretty good shape, but encountered many rocks/tree roots last 1/4 mile. Hiking book says there is 70' elevation loss to lake, but it was a relatively gentle up-and-down until the last 60-70 yards to the lake, which was very steep and mostly a tangle of tree roots. Several damp/muddy spots and a few trickles of water across trail, but I could see that because of the drainage slopes some areas would have some significant water crossing it during the late Spring early summer snow melts. All in all, both trails were very scenic and a good short hike for families, although sections of it would be a challenge for 4-6 yr. old children.