Scott Paul Trail / Park Butte

Not knowing how many hiking days there are going to be before the weather gets nasty, I decided to head into the hills last weekend. Destination: Mt Baker Recreation Area, namely the Scott Paul Trail to Park Butte. 

Looking from Park Butte  towards Bell Pass

M's brother, J,  joined me as my hiking buddy. By the end of the trip, he had earned the name "longshanks" for his ground-covering stride. We did nearly 12 mountainous miles in just over 4 hours. For reference, I usually budget 2.5 miles per hour on a "fast" hike. 

Rocking the bridge

 The Scott Paul trail took us quickly onto the southern shoulder of Mt Baker. From there, we traversed below the glacier until the Railroad Grade cutoff, a common route up the mountain. In those first 6 miles we passed one lonely hunter (high elk season was on), but otherwise walked in blissful quiet.

The mountain was socked in from the lowest tip of the glacier

 The hike from the Scott Paul Trail to Park Butte reminded J and I of the UK. Foggy, marshy moors... or maybe middle earth? There were many groups of hikers out, including friends from home and one man hiking with his pack goats!

 The clouds were breaking as we descended into Schreiber's meadow. The wildflowers were finished, replaced by the rusty golden hue of autumn foliage.