Scott Paul Trail, Park Butte — Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2014

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

The ranger said that Rocky II, the suspension bridge on the upper Rocky creek that is 2.5 miles from the trailhead going clockwise and 5.5 miles going anti-clockwise, had not yet been put in place (not sure what they are waiting for), so I didn't know if I could get across. On a 50 degree rainy day, the muddy creek, which emanates from the Easton glacier about a mile upstream, wasn't even knee deep, so after four or five refreshing strides in my sandals, I was on my way in my dry toasty socks and boots. I encountered many snow patches, but all were flat and not large enough to lose the tread. The trail meanders over and along dramatic lateral moraines as it takes a generally eastward course. At the east end, I had to search a bit where the trail turns south and leaves the snow and hits the dirt. There is one 6-foot diameter log that you have to crawl under but that's just part of the fun. This trail lacks the constant views of Komo Kulshan that the Park Butte trail offers, but if it's raining or you want to have a trail to yourself, the Scott Paul fits the bill.