Despite the bugs, the smoke, the rough road -- it was a great hike - very few people on the trail and the smoke made for a cooler day.  This is a pretty exposed route toward the end which the big climb with few trees - on a sunny day would be pretty hot in the afternoon.  Still some snow on the trail as well.

Would love to go back when there is no smoke and get to see the view!

More snow on the upper part of the trail than we anticipated, but was not too hard. We used trekking poles and needed them in spots. Wildflowers bluming all over. Stunning views of Mt. Baker, Twin Sisters, Shuksan, Glacier Peak and many more Cascades.  

I've included 5min of video highlights below..

ROAD: frequent potholes and washboards

TRAIL: a large blowdown on the Dock Butte switchbacks, before the snowfields.  I used microspikes when the snowfields got steep.  I also took the easy Class 2 boot path straight up the ridge instead of the summit block switchbacks that would've needed an ice axe probably.

WILDFLOWERS: On Dock Butte I saw cinquefoil, partridge foot, sitka valerian and on the Blue Lake side trail I saw lupine, marsh marigold, arnica and sitka valerian

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!  Saw no one else until I'd almost gotten back.  The snowfields did require some route finding.  The views from the top were fantastic - especially down to the baker Lake Valley.  Similar great panoramas of Mount Baker & Twin Sisters as from Park Butte 2 days earlier, but I could see Shuksan better from here.  Blue Lake was bigger and prettier than expected.  There's a neat waterfall emptying off the cliffs into it.  There is an isthmus giving the best full view - just keep following the little trails to the left after reaching the lake and you will see it.

Beautiful hike! More snow than I expected, which made for a tough scramble to the summit with no walking poles or other gear. Doable, but could be tough for some hikers.

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 14^th) 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.