Let's hear it for #watrailsday! Hadn't done this hike before, and it was a gem!

Biggest issue with the road is the potholes. We had a Forester and didn't have issues other than bouncing around a lot, but if you have a low-clearance car you will need to pick your path very carefully. The worst sections are in the first few miles, after that it actually gets better.

If you are used to manicured trails you might find this one a little rough. A lot of rocky and rooty sections, especially on the lower part. Regarding the choice point at 2.0 miles, my wife wanted nothing to do with the left fork that goes straight up the spine of the ridge. We took the switchback route, but even there she called it quits just before the summit, where there is a short section that requires a rock scramble.

That being said, this hike has a very high payoff-for-effort ratio. You get fabulous view pretty quickly and keep them for the rest of the way. It also doesn't get the crowds you would have for a hike like Heliotrope Ridge, which has comparable gain.

We hit the lake on the way back down. There appear to be two trails as you approach the lake, one going left, one going right. We took the right fork and made it to the lake, but it became clear pretty quickly that the left fork is the "real" trail, and takes you to a little promontory that juts into the lake. Would recommend going that way instead.

We live in Seattle and this was a far drive, but we love Mt. Baker nat’l Park. We left at 7am and got there a little before 10am (we made a few stops along the way) plus it’s another 30min drive from the FS road. The first few miles had tons of potholes! Drive slow and it’s on both sides of the road so there’s no avoiding them. It gets better once you’re at the fork for Blue Lake/ Baker Campgrounds. There was about 8 other cars in the parking lot. 

We (2 adults and a 4 & 6yo) hiked all the way to Dock Butte, it was pretty rough and steep. A lot of tree roots and steep tall steps. We helped the kids up a few of them. There were a few snow patches; nothing major- kids loved it. There was a few times when they wanted to quit and turn back and just go to the lake. We took lots of water and snack breaks, discussed if they still wanted to continue and they did. I was very proud of them because we saw a few groups that turned around. Everyone is always impressed to see our small young ones with us, but we’re advid hikers and I do do my research before I take them on a trail. Once we made it to the top the views were gorgeous! Mt. Baker was magnificent! Bugs.. or should I say FLIES were so ANNOYING! Bug spray did not help! UGH! 

Then we headed to Blue Lake on the way down. Flatter hike than Butte but the decent is pretty steep, the last 60 ft. Lake was beautiful, dipped our toes, flies got annoying and back up we went. Got back to the car around 3pm. 

Overall it was a good hike, bring plenty of water. I’d call this a 2 bottle Nalgene hike :) 

We went to Dock Butte on a hot day, and found a lot more snow than expected starting about half way up. Snow cleats helped a lot, but another 2 weeks needed before snow clears. Lots of bugs, but manageable with spray. The views were amazing!

The first 1/4 of the road to Dock Butte trailhead is filled with potholes but doable.  The last 2/3 smooth and clear of snow except the last 200 yards.  We parked around the bend from the parking lot.  There is room for a half a dozen vehicles.  The first part of the trail is snow covered and we followed footsteps and ended off trail for a little excursion...when it became apparent we used our gps to recognize and retrace back to the trail.  The middle section of the trail is clear other than a downed tree that is easy to climb over or under.  Nearer the top the snowfields begin as do the amazing views!  Hiking poles and clippons were a must for us...but we are in our 60’s.  We saw 2 other groups of younger and more fit hikers, one group without poles or clippons and the other group with poles and clippons.  Both of these other groups reached the summit...we chose to turn around 100’ elevation from the top...a bit too steep with snow for us.  There were a few bugs but nothing a little bug deterrent couldn’t handle.  Did I mention the views were stunning ☺️...the views were stunning!  It was a wonderful place for a picnic!  Perhaps a highlight was glissading back down the snowfields.  After these old legs made it to this elevation over snow fields we were not going to miss the pure delight that these snowfields offer as a quick transport down.  Wet butt honor makes it so worth the journey!  On our trek down it was easier to notice the plentiful wildflowers...trillium and numerous sprouting flowers quickly reaching for the sun in the breakout sections of snow melt.  It was quit a lovely day and a great early season hike!