Day Hike - Park Butte & Railroad Grade

Since the purpose of this trip is to soak up the grand views, this trip will be cancelled if the forecast predicts too much cloud coverage or fog that obstructs the views.  Trip will also cancel if the wildfire smoke with PM2.5 level exceeding 15 µg/m³ (WHO 24-hour average exposure guideline) is forecasted.

Starting from the Park Butte TH, we will hike up along the Park Butte Trail to first reach the historic, yet well-maintained Park Butte Lookout (elevation 5,450 ft).  We will then backtrack to the junction with the Railroad Grade trail, and take this side trail up, hopefully, to the Sandy Camp (elevation 5,930 ft). On return, retrace the same trails back to the cars.

Please be well-equipped to handle the expected conditions and terrains, such as creek crossings (one with narrow bridge board, another hopefully simple rock hopping, but water could be higher resulting in wet feet), snowfield to cross near the lookout, ridge walk with steep side drop-offs on Railroad Grade, loose sand / small rocks, and rock slabs around Sandy Camp. 

Trip reports on Park Butte Trail on: WTA,  AllTrails

NOAA Weather:   For Elev. 3209 ft  (near TH);   For Elev. 5951 ft  (near Sandy Camp)  

This is an exploratory hike, i.e., the leader has never done this hike before.   Please be prepared to contribute to any navigational and safety decisions should the need arise.  This is a group activity where teamwork is expected.  We will travel as a group, generally within sight of each other.  Please be willing to watch out for and help each other, and let's have a great time together.

If your Mountaineers’ activity history does not show any recent hike / activity of similar pace, distance, and elevation gain within the last 2 months, please email the leader with your recent conditioning, including what types of private hikes/exercises you have been doing.

• Trekking poles - strongly recommended
• Microspikes - may be required depending on the temperatures
• 10 Essentials - always required, especially sun & bug protections, plenty water
• N-95 mask - Just in case of unexpected wildfire smoke

Further detail will be emailed to registered participants a few days prior to the trip.

Please note that any outdoor activity involves potential risks of injuries.  Some examples include:  stream crossings, wet and/or loose rocks, slick snow, tripping hazards, and wild animals (bears, mountain goats).  Prolonged exposure to outside elements (heat, sun, wildfire smoke) due to an injury in the group, a missing member, or an unexpected encounter with a distressed third party requiring our help can happen.  Sunset time on 7/22 is around 8:56 PM.  Please be prepared.

No pets on this hike please. 

From Burlington (exit 230 on I-5), head east on the North Cascades Highway (SR-20) for 23 miles, turning left 0.4 miles after milepost 82 onto Baker Lake Road.  Continue 12.3 miles on Baker Lake Road. The turnoff onto FR 12 is tricky: FR 12 is marked by a sign at the bridge before the intersection with the Forest Road.  Turn left on the unmarked FR 12, continuing 3.7 miles to the intersection with FR 13.  Turn right onto FR 13, and proceed 5.3 miles to the trailhead parking area.  There is parking for about 40 cars.  A privy is available.

The 9-mile stretch of the forest road (#12-13) to the trailhead seems to have "a lot of potholes in places, a few absolute craters that might be harder to manage in a low clearance vehicle," according to recent trip reports.  We will consolidate cars at Rasar State Park in Concrete, WA (or another location if you know a better place) as needed.