Park Butte Lookout
Just incredible! This is one of the best I have done, not just in Washington, in the world! The trail takes you through at least four completely different ecosystems and the mountain views are incredible.
Trail Head: Northern Cascades - Route 20 North Cascades Highway
GPS Coordinates: 48.514166, -121.221859 Map
Trail Notes
- Moderate Trail
- Moderate Road
- 7.5 miles out and back
- 2200 ft Elevation Gain
- Toilets at trailhead
- Dog friendly
- Best time to visit is summer, check reports for snow conditions
- Need a Pass - US Forest Services (see Recreation Passes and Permits for options)
Hazards
- Water crossings - sometimes there is a bridge
- Summit fever, it is so close!
Road/Parking
Limited parking at the end of a 15 mile dirt/gravel road. By National Forest Road standards this one is pretty good. Most of it is wide and just a little bumpy and you can make pretty good time. There are a couple pot hole sections that require a little careful driving, but the road is wide enough to zig zag around most of them. The lot at the end has lots of parking, including a horse trailer section, but it does fill up. This is a popular backpacking area and
The Experience
This area has a ton to offer and I like it so much I’ve been here a couple of times. If you want to see my story about staying the night, check out the next section. For trail details read on.
Our Overnight Adventure
Slept in car Up at 4AM Bridge out and fun in dark, went back and forth looking for it Scary dog in the dark Sunrise at lookout Enough food for a family of 4 Chipmunk in lookout Lightning Stool Creaky bed Railroad grade with Karen and met Shenendoah with solo on trail Guy at top of Railroad scary climber Lots of marmots Volunteer crew painting and putting down shutters, brought new shutter because shutter flew off last year People break windows in winter Texas influencer announcement of I’m staying here, 4 hours of photos, stayed at base of stairs Shenandoah and Solo on balcony, lots of other nice people hung out for sunset and talked about food. One family with a berry picker and a blue faced (including teeth) child. Hut below has toilet Hiked down with summit guide
What to Bring?
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The Basics - Good to have on any hike
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Footwear: Hiking shoes, preferably waterproof.
More Info & Trail Reports
Weather - Mount Baker - Check out the two lower elevations for a idea of what to expect.
Mazama Park via Ridley Creek https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ridley-creek Bell Pass https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bell-pass Elbow Lake https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/elbow-lake
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