FS road 1230 is snow free all the way to the Blue Lake/Dock Butte trail head. Aside from a few pot holes, the road is in good condition and any car should be able to make it all the way to the trail head.
While the road is snow-free, the trail is not. Snow starts right at the trail head.
The trail to Dock Butte still has a lot of snow on it. You will need a map and compass or GPS to find your way. When I was up there (July 14th) there weren’t even any footprints in the snow beyond the meadows. I had to find my own way.
If you want to go to the top, you should bring an ice axe. There is some steep snow that you need to cross. Most of the snow is pretty flat and mellow through the meadows, but there were a couple of places where I was glad I had my axe.
After you’ve navigated through the meadows, I would advise following the ridgeline all the way to the top. According to the map I had, the trail (which is buried under the snow where you can’t see it anyway) goes around and switchbacks up to the top from northeast side of the butte. Don’t go that way. Stick to the ridge line. You will find a steep boot path that is mostly melted out that takes you to the top if you stick to the ridgeline.
Views from the top of Dock Butte are spectacular. You get a 360 degree view.
The trail to Blue Lake still has a bunch of snow on it too, but you won’t need an ice axe or anything. The trail to the lake is pretty tame. You might find micro spikes and poles helpful, but you’ll probably be OK with just your hiking boots.
The lake is starting to melt out around the edges, but it is still mostly frozen.
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