Park Butte
WillhiteWeb.com
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet (summer)
Summit Elevation: 5,460 feet
Access: Good gravel roads
Park Butte is typically an easy summer hiking destination. In winter, the long approach on forest roads makes it too far a destination for skiers and snowshoers. But, due to a high snow line in 2010, the road was clear within a mile of the summer trailhead. This area is an extremely popular snow mobile destination and they are everywhere. To avoid this, visit in late spring when they are prohibited. Summer is good of course. We lucked out being offered a ride for 2 miles up beyond treeline via snowmobile. Mount Baker is a striking sight and even more astounding is the visible snowmobile trail tracks up to the crater rim of Mount Baker.
Drive the North Cascades Highway (20) east of Sedro Woolley 14.5 miles to the signed Baker Lake Road. Follow for 12.5 miles, then a left turn on FR 12 just after a bridge. Follow for 3 miles to a junction, turn right on FR 13 and follow 6 miles to the end.
Access:
Route:
Hike the 3.5 mile trail to the summit of Park Butte. In spring, one could follow the snowmobile route shown on the map. The snowmobile route is the easiest terrain to walk while the hiking trail route is faster but might have a stretch through some steep sections in the woods before hitting Morovitz Meadows.
The long winter/spring approach road
Black Buttes, looks like Pakistan!
Mt. Baker, a snowmobile ride to the summit in the winter
Looking west to Twin Sisters Mountain
Views out the lookout window, only one side was open
Looking back to the lookout on ridge on right
East from Park Butte Lookout
Mount Baker and the Black Buttes from Park Butte
Looking SE
The Park Butte Lookout
Looking south to Loomis Peak from the lookout
The final ridgewalk to the lookout
Skiing up
Lookout History:
In 1933, the L-4 cab was built.
In 1935, panorama photos taken from the roof.
In the 1960s was the last time it was manned. It is presently maintained by volunteers and is open to public use at times.
In 2018, a Washington man was killed when he fell off the lookout. The man was climbing a part of the structure overhanging the cliff. Witnesses reported hearing a noise but could not find the man. He was finally located in a state of unconsciousness approximately 90-feet below the building. During the rescue flight aboard a helicopter, he died.
Snowmobile heaven
1935 Baker River Recreation Area map
Mount Baker
1935, looking North
1935, looking Southeast
1935, looking Southwest