Park Butte Lookout Under the Big Dipper
The Park Butte Lookout is perched atop a ridge on the south side of Mount Baker.
The 4 mile trail switchbacks up the slopes, breaking out into Morovitz Meadows and traversing along the mountain to a last steep climb to the Lookout.
Park Butte Lookout
Open to the public to stay the night the Lookout provides some spectacular views.
View from inside
On this particular night I waited for the new moon so the stars would be out and managed to arrive there just as the sun set.
Mount Baker. The ridge on the right is Railroad Grade
Lookout at Sunset
The twilight set the place aglow. Bellingham in the distance created almost too much light!
Twilight
Park Butte Lookout and Bellingham
Luck was with me, the Milky Way aligned with the summit, looking as if Mount Baker was spewing stars.
Mount Baker and the Milky Way
Mount Baker and the Milky Way
We left at midnight to hike back down and made it home at about 3am.
Lookout at night
A very satisfying night!
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 
Lovely photos!
Color is law! Yes, yes it is! I am a Color Junkie!
Thanks and nice to meet your blog!
🙂
What fabulous images, Andy! I’d have loved to be up there 🙂
Reblogged this on dunjav.
Just incredible 🙂
Thanks Geo!!!
I really enjoyed your trip. It’s offers an opportunity for us to see wonders we wouldn’t see otherwise.
Thanks!
What a beautiful thing to share, thanks.
My pleasure, for sure! Glad you like!
I have often thought about going to a lookout tower for a night of photo taking. What a truly amazing experience this must have been! Congratulations on another great adventure, and keep up the good work!
Yes, yes, yes, if you can go to a lookout tower at night, do it! Try to get a night with no clouds and a new moon. And bring a few flashlights to illuminate the inside.