Park Butte Peak

July 14, 2024 -- Mt. Baker Recreational Area

Stats: 13.36 km / 672m gain / 1646m high / 4:15 hours MT

Having done a long challenging hike the day before, we decided to do a shorter one, to the base of Mt. Baker. I've done many hikes on the opposite side, including three summits of Mt. Baker but this was the first time I was on the south-facing slopes. And what glorious views we had!

As is typical in the US, the trail was in perfect condition and gently graded. We passed many hikers on our way up, that were descending with overnight backpacks. I'm sure the majority of them had summited Mt. Baker.

Spirea grew in abundance in the Shriebers Meadows.

Bride's Bonnet

Rocky Creek

Lower Morovitz Meadow -- north. In 3.2km, we came to the junction for the RR Grade trail which is also the climber's summit route. Pramila had gone ahead and hiked/jogged about 1/4 way up the moraine, meeting up with us again as we neared the Park Butte fire lookout. She said you get close-up views of the glacier on the Railroad Grade trail, but from Park Butte the views are more expansive.

The Black Buttes to the left and Mt. Baker (3300m) to the right.

Denise & Charlotte found a way to cool off quickly.

Pocket Lake.

Our destination in sight.

There was room for three people to sleep in the former fire lookout cabin. The girls we talked to had arrived there in the morning and claimed the hut for the night. It's on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Imagine the sunset and sunrise from this hut. Another one for my bucket list...

The last of the 3 photos above, shows the grey gravel moraine of the Railroad Grade trail that leads to the High Divide lookout. Mt. Shuksan is barely visible in the background.

South view from the cabin.

west

There were only a few stretches with snow that did not require micro-spikes.

The utmost in relaxation.

Another great way to cool off: dip your hat in the ice-cold melt water from Easton Glacier.

And a third way to cool off: dip your swollen feet into the water. Pramila even sat in it.