Park Butte Lookout

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Andy Porter

Park Butte Lookout is located on the south side of Mount Baker. Access is via Baker Lake Road. Here is the link with details. The hike in is about 3.5 miles. It usually opens in July, depends upon snow melt. You can spend the night in the Lookout, its a first come first serve sort of thing…if you plan to stay the night, be certain to bring a tent because it most likely be full!

I’ve spent 14 nights in or near the lookout, with other people and several times alone. It always magical, even in a storm.

Here are a few images from recent trips.

Park Butte and Mount Baker Panorama 2018

Park Butte Lookout and Mount Baker at sunset

Over the years I have managed a few decent shots of the night sky from the lookout.

Park Butte Lookout and Mt Baker

Views of Mount Baker and the Sisters are beyond spectacular for both sunrise and sunset.

Mt Baker at sunrise

Mt Baker at sunset

Looking down the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River

Sisters

Mount Baker south side, from Park Butte Trail

Three visits to Park Butte Lookout

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Andy Porter

Three visits to Park Butte Lookout

In 2015 I had the good fortune to make three visits to Park Butte Lookout. Its always good fortune when you visit such a place, I have spent more than 20 nights in, on or near the lookout. Stormy or clear, with others or alone, each visit unique.

The last several years I have passed up chances to do Park Butte in July, thinking I’d have plenty of opportunity in August, only to have my plans dashed by wildfires. That’s not to say that the local forest burned, but rather smoke from fires in Canada and Eastern Washington filled the valleys. Photographically the images of mountain landscapes are utterly ruined by the smoke.

So, here I sit, looking at these three trips in June, July and August, 2015.

And its helping, I am feeling better already!

June

: Mt Baker at sunset

: Mt Baker at sunset

: Park Butte Lookout and Mt Baker at sunset

There was a high alert for sun activity making the Northern Lights visible, so I made my way up to the lookout. The only stellar shots I got were before sunset.

July

: Looking down the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River

: Park Butte Lookout and Mount Baker

: View from Park Butte Lookout

I spent the night alone at the Lookout, and the sky was sublime. The Sisters, across the valley and the Middle Fork stretching towards the sun, it was quite a show.

August

This trip was a busy one! I brought 2 clients up to stay the night, but the Lookout was taken, so we camped in tents just below. The sunset was unbelievable.

Park Butte Lookout and Mount Baker Panorama

and the next morning was one of those magical moments that wouldn’t end. The snow-melt tarns are perfect for reflections and the low angle light sumptuous in its tone…