Park Butte — Sunday, Aug. 18, 2002

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

The view of Mt. Baker from Park Butte Lookout will blow your mind. And the blooming heather meadows below the Railroad Grade are pretty mind-bending, too. This is the trail to take your out of town visitors on. The trail is mostly in good shape from the Shreibers Meadow trailhead to the peak. There is a tricky ford at the bouldery creek flowing from the Easton Glacier. The heavily engineered switchbacks climbing the slope above the creek will gladden the heart of every WTA member. A few patches of snow remain on the trail on the upper reaches of Park Butte. The bad news is that the trails around here are terribly crowded, and black flies are abundant until you reach the alpine meadows. Try coming here midweek.