Yellow Aster Butte

Today we drove up to the Mount Baker Highway to hike up to Yellow Aster Butte. This is a 7.5 mile round trip hike with 2,550 ft of gain. We felt today's conditions were safe to hike in this normally avalanche prone area.
The first 3/4 mile of the trail had little snow. On the first switchbacks on the open slope, we had a gorgeous view of Mt Baker.

After that first 3/4 mile, the trail was consistently covered in snow, we wore our microspikes as several sections were very icy.

Our first view of Yellow Aster Butte

















Most of the trail was well packed down, but there were a couple of areas where the wind had covered the trail with fresh snow and we did some post holing.

Standing below Yellow Aster Butte

View of Mt Shuksan at the creek crossing

Continuing up the trail

Mt Baker and a local peak
















The winter "trail" takes a short cut going straight up to a ridge below Yellow Aster Butte.

I didn't feel comfortable going up the last 200 ft to the end of the trail on Yellow Aster Butte with the steepness of the trail and the exposure. There was not enough snow to get good kick steps. I opted to stay on this ridge, enjoying the views and my lunch while my friends continued on to the top.













Wide angle view from the ridge looking north to Tomyhoi Peak, Yellow Aster Butte on the right.

view of Mt Baker from the ridge

















Pano from the ridge south to west: Mt Shuksan and Mt Baker

Pano from the ridge west to north: Mt Baker to Tomyhoi Peak

Enjoying this beautiful day in the North Cascades

My shadow below Yellow Aster Butte

Heading back down the trail, looking towards the peaks to the east

Some interesting icicles on a boulder.

Watching the sun go down near Mt Baker as we finish our hike