10/26, Saturday. Left in the cloudy morning, full sun once we were on hwy-20. A little breezy.
Saw this grouse hunting "mailbox" at a turn on Bake Lake Road. It had no wings or tails, but an empty soda can and some debris.
A nice bridge a few steps from TH over Sulphur Creek. After ~2 miles, snow and mud, and a few easy creek crossing and the main Rocky Creek crossing, we took to the left for Park Butte / Railroad Grade trail. About 0.4 miles, enter Morovitz Meadow, there, another trail junction. We took to the right on Railroad Grade trail (also the climbing route). Had lunch on a low ridge, with excellent view.
The original plan was to hike the loop of
Scott Paul. So we returned to the junction at mile 2. After a short decent, the trail bends north with a great view of Baker and the impending crossing of Rocky Creek. Here, boot tracks stopped. No one had ventured here since the snow. The 2 platforms of the both ends of a non-existing bridge is a clear sign where to go. After crossing the bridge, we made our way up. Trail is covered with snow, but can still make out where it is for awhile. Not sure what lays ahead, and the short day light, we decided to turn around and go to Park Butte instead, because of the steady stream of hikers heading/headed that way. That trail is well trodden.
Back at the 2 mile junction, heading up to
Park Butte Lookout. All along very scenic.
The 1/2 mile was very windy.
When I got to the lookout, there were 1 dog and 6 people there already, playing a board game. This sign of wifi is hilarious.The view on the deck is superb. But you have to walk around to get all 360° view. A guy with his dog decided to camp below the lookout next to a tree.
Sunset when we got back at Schrieder Meadow. Couldn't find a good spot to take a photo. A little swampy, a couple of ponds. 2 hours drive back to Seattle, no traffic. Wet boots and dirty gaiters.
Saw this grouse hunting "mailbox" at a turn on Bake Lake Road. It had no wings or tails, but an empty soda can and some debris.
A nice bridge a few steps from TH over Sulphur Creek. After ~2 miles, snow and mud, and a few easy creek crossing and the main Rocky Creek crossing, we took to the left for Park Butte / Railroad Grade trail. About 0.4 miles, enter Morovitz Meadow, there, another trail junction. We took to the right on Railroad Grade trail (also the climbing route). Had lunch on a low ridge, with excellent view.
The original plan was to hike the loop of Scott Paul. So we returned to the junction at mile 2. After a short decent, the trail bends north with a great view of Baker and the impending crossing of Rocky Creek. Here, boot tracks stopped. No one had ventured here since the snow. The 2 platforms of the both ends of a non-existing bridge is a clear sign where to go. After crossing the bridge, we made our way up. Trail is covered with snow, but can still make out where it is for awhile. Not sure what lays ahead, and the short day light, we decided to turn around and go to Park Butte instead, because of the steady stream of hikers heading/headed that way. That trail is well trodden.
Back at the 2 mile junction, heading up to Park Butte Lookout. All along very scenic. 
The 1/2 mile was very windy. 
When I got to the lookout, there were 1 dog and 6 people there already, playing a board game. This sign of wifi is hilarious.The view on the deck is superb. But you have to walk around to get all 360° view. A guy with his dog decided to camp below the lookout next to a tree.
Sunset when we got back at Schrieder Meadow. Couldn't find a good spot to take a photo. A little swampy, a couple of ponds. 2 hours drive back to Seattle, no traffic. Wet boots and dirty gaiters.
