Mt Baker National Recreation Area - Railroad Grade & Park Butte Backpacking

Mt Baker National Recreation Area

After having just finished a five day backpack trip through the Glacier Peak Wilderness, we decided to take a shorter and cooler backpacking trip on the west side of the Cascade Mountain Range.  After driving over and spending the night at Baker Lake, we woke up in the morning, packed and headed up to the trailhead.

Railroad Grade and Park Butte Trails

Arriving early at the trailhead on a Friday morning, we were lucky enough to beat the weekend crowds.  As we hiked up toward where we would set up camp, the sun rose higher along with the heat and humidity.  Though not as hot as it was on the east side of the Cascades, the humidity made it feel just as warm and sticky.

After passing the trail junction for Railroad Grade and Park Butte, we got our first good views of Mt Baker.  It was beautiful, majestic and inviting.  A few pictures and we continued on to Cathedral Pass where we put up base camp for the night.  Not a bad hike, about 1300 feet of elevation gain.

First views of Mt Baker from the Railroad Grade / Park Butte trails.

Once arriving at Cathedral Pass and setting up camp, we decided to explore.  We were happy to drop the heaviness of the packs and carry a lighter pack for the day with only the essentials that we needed.  First we headed back down to the junction of the Railroad Grade and Park Butte trails and headed up toward the climbers camp on Mt Baker via the Railroad Grade trail.  This trail runs along the top of a ridge line toward Mt Baker and its glaciers.  It is exposed and provided us some good exposure in the sun (ie, make sure to wear sunblock) and great views of Mt Baker and the surrounding area.  We were even able to see Glacier Peak in the distance where we had just spent five days backpacking.

View looking down the Railroad Grade Trail and the Cascades in the distance.

Mt Baker from just above Climbers Camp on the Railroad Grade Trail

Taking a break to take in the views once we reached the climber's camp, we decided to head up further on the trail.  At our high point we were at an elevation of 5,990 ft on Mt Baker (10,781 ft).  If only we had time and the gear to climb to the top.  But after spending time on Mt. Baker we decided to head back down toward camp.  We were hot from the heat, humidity and exposure.

At camp we took a break, finished setting up camp and built a snowman, which in this heat didn't last very long.  But when you have snow and time for a break - what else is one to do?

Building a snowman at Cathedral Pass @ Mt Baker

After dinner we decided to take a hike and head up to Park Butte.  Park Butte is in the Mount Baker Wilderness Area and is a restored 1933 fire lookout.  Upon arriving at the top we explored the fire lookout and took in the views all around us.  

Park Butte Fire Lookout on top of the ridge

View out from Park Butte fire lookout at Mt Baker

View from Park Butte fire lookout over toward the storms 

On the day we headed up, storms rolled in to the south and west.  It was pretty interesting to watch the sheets of rain move through to the south of us.  On our way back down to camp, we took time to wander around and take a look in the pools for reflections.  We ended up with some pretty good shots of Mt Baker.

Reflecting pool with Mt Baker in the background

We finally decided to head back down toward camp for the night.  As we arrived in camp, the sun started to set and provided us with some great views over the peaks in the distance.  

Sunsetting from Mt Baker National Recreation Area

As the sun set, it was time to end another great day in the Cascades.  Tomorrow we would wake up, pack up and head out.  Another trip comes to a close.  I felt refreshed.

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods.  Wash your spirit clean."  John Muir