Yellow Aster Butte

MOUNTAINEERS TRIP REPORT

August 6, 2014, Wed. – Yellow Aster Butte

Led scramble today. Party consisted of Sam Fahrer, Bill Forristall, Lisa James, David Johnson and Wendy W. Met in Bellingham at Sunset Square to consolidate into high clearance vehicles. Drove Hwy 542 to FS Rd. 3065 at 2,000’. Rough road, but mainly giantttt potholes. Low clearance car would bottom out. Used 4WD and low range. Drove 4.2 miles to new TH at 3,600’ with limited parking, sign-in and toilet. A beautiful day with some clouds. Started hiking at 9:00 on the Tomyhoi Trail. Early section was steep, but then laid back to a good grade. A few giant logs to cross using cut notches. At 5,000’+ we turned left on the Yellow Aster Butte Trail. Spectacular area. Crossed numerous snow patches. Waterfalls here and there. Found that a very nice trail actually goes to the top of the southern knob on Yellow Aster Butte at 6,200’. Continued on ridge losing maybe 100’ on climber’s trail and followed ridge to north knob. Last section was somewhat difficult with small area of down sloping slabs, loose rock and dirt. Best route here was our ascent staying high on slab and ducking under tree branch at edge of ridge. Arrived on summit, 6,241’ at 13:00. Great views into Canada and of Mt. Larrabee, American Border Peak, Tomyhoi and other peaks. Left about 13:45. Returned off the summit dropping to the right on loose rock and meadow, traversing below the slabby area. Too much loose rock and not as good as ascent route. Stopped at the southern knob and took numerous view and flower breaks on the descent. Arrived back at the cars at 16:45. A good group. Met or saw maybe 2-3 dozen other hikers this mid-week day. Stats were 8 miles, gross elev. Of 3,160’ and 7¾ hours.

Chuck Gustafson