Park Butte Trail 603

Area Status: Open

Enjoy incredible views of Mt. Baker and its glaciers throughout the length of this trail.

Start in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area and quickly enter the lush Schriebers Meadow. The Scott Paul Trail junction is about 100 feet from the trailhead on the right. Continue past the junction and wander through waist-high huckleberries and the heather of Schriebers Meadow. This trail section has views of Survey Point to the east and is a great two-mile round trip for families.

Next you will reach Rocky Creek and a challenging crossing during periods of heavy runoff. After the first mile climb and switchback through the forest, reaching the second junction with Scott Paul Trail 603.1. Stay left at the junction to continue along Park Butte Trail to Morovitz Meadows. The expansive views offered at the open meadows make this a popular rest spot.

At the next junction take the fork to the right to Railroad Grade Trail 603.2 for designated camp sites at Railroad Camp, High Camp and Sandy Camp. Stay left to go to the Park Butte Lookout. Cathedral Camp is near the next trail junction. Stay left at this junction for Park Butte, or head west to Mazama Park and the Bell Pass Trail 603.3 with established campsites for stock and hikers. The trail levels out some and passes above picturesque Pocket Lake on the left. The last half-mile climbs steeply to the lookout at 5,400 feet elevation and enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness.

At a Glance

Permit Info:	Washington State Sno-Park Permit is required November 1 through April 30 at Park Butte Trailhead.
Usage:	Heavy
Best Season:	Summer / Fall
Restrictions:	Hiker and stock trail. Open to stock July 1-Oct. 31. Open to llamas year round. The Park Butte lookout is inside the Mt. Baker Wilderness boundary. Wilderness regulations limit party size to 12 members, including stock or llama. Mt. Baker National Recreation Area is open to snowmobiles when snow depth at the trailhead is at least 24 inches. Other motorized vehicles and bicycles are not permitted. Camping in the National Recreation Area is allowed only in the designated camps. No fires allowed in the National Recreation Area. Camping or being in an area closed for rehabilitation is prohibited. Passenger vehicles are prohibited from parking in the stock vehicle parking area July 1 – Oct. 31.
Water:	Carry drinking water, as none is available at the lookout
Restroom:	Vault toilet at trailhead.
Passes:	A valid Recreation Pass is required from May 1 through Oct 31 at Park Butte Trailhead.
Information Center:	Check current conditions or call Mt. Baker Ranger District, Sedro Woolley Office at 360-856-5700, extension 515.

General Information

Directions:

From the Mt. Baker Ranger District office in Sedro-Woolley, WA follow State Route 20 east for 16 miles to milepost 82. Turn left (north) on the Baker Lake Highway (Forest Service Road 11). Continue for 12 miles, turn left on FS road 12. Travel 3.6 miles to the junction of FS road 13. Stay right and follow FS road 13 for 5.3 miles. The trailhead is at the end of FS road 13.

No passenger vehicle parking in the stock vehicle parking area July 1- Oct. 31.

General Notes:

One-night campsites are available at the trailhead for hikers and stock. A toilet, loading ramp and hitching rails at the parking area.

Maps:

Green Trails: Hamilton 45, Mt. Baker Wilderness Climbing 13S
Forest Service: Mt. Baker Ranger District and Mt. Baker Wilderness
USGS: Baker Pass

Parking:

Passenger vehicles are prohibited from parking in the stock vehicle parking area July 1 – Oct. 31.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Climbing

Recreation areas with activity Mountain Climbing:

Enjoy your climb, plan a trip visit our Mt. Baker Climbing page for useful information from permits to regulations.

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Park Butte Trailhead

Fire Information	Carry a backcountry stove, as fires are prohibited.
Elevation desc	Elevation gain/loss: +2200 feet
Difficulty Level:	More Difficult