Park Butte — Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Parke Butte trail is an easy-moderate trail, in my opinion. We had three in our party ranging from mid fifties to early seventies in age. Rocky Creek was a bit of a problem. Two of us waded across between the red trail markers on both sides. Wading in the am was not hard. The third member went upstream, maybe, a 1/4 of a mile where two downed trees lie end to end and crossed over on the trees. Coming back down to Rocky Creek in the pm, we found the creek had become higher and faster(as expected). One of us, even with two hiking poles was lucky to keep his balance, which isn't good to start with, as he waded across. A number of younger folks had no apparent trouble rock hopping (although some got their feet wet). Rest of the trail to Parke Butte was very well maintained and pretty easy in my opinion.