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Yellow Aster Butte Loop

based on 361 tracks & routes #27 hike out of 988 in
11.0 mi
Distance
4 hrs 59 min
Time
terrain
2,480 ft
Elev Gain

Overview

From the trailhead, the trail begins and immediate ascent. You will share the trail with hikers bound for Tomyhoi Lake on this steep ascent, which gains nearly 1500 feet of elevation in just under a mile and a half. As the trail climbs, you switchback through an avalanche path (meaning this is a trail best done when snow-free) and enter a forest before popping out into a meadow. Pro Tip: Due to its popularity, the camping area is likely to be full by midday. Please only camp on snow, rock, or bare ground – the meadows here are as fragile as they are beautiful, and even a short overnight stay can seriously damage them. Note that this hike ends before the actual butte-- once you reach the 6,160ft you will see a saddle between you and Yellow Aster Butte. This saddle is narrow, and full of loose scree. If you choose to keep going recognize this is no longer part of the 'yellow aster butte trail' and you are now free climbing.

Getting Started

With views into Canada, fiery fall color and sweeping wildflower meadows, the trail to Yellow Aster Butte is one of the most popular in the North Cascades. Located in the Mount Baker Wilderness, the trail traverses the south-facing slopes of the High Divide. As you climb, you are treated to spectacular wildflowers shows in spring and early summer. Come autumn, the hillsides are vivid in orange, reds and yellows. This is a breathtaking area at any time of year, and so understandably popular. Expect plenty of company on trail and arrive early if you plan on camping. Try and identify the trees in the woods as you trek along, and in the meadow, look for Indian paintbrush, lupine, heather and fireweed, among others. Bringing a field guide is a good idea; with it, you can take breaks and identify interesting trailside trees and blooms.

For the more geologically inclined, rock formations carved out as the Puget Lobe retreated north provide equally fascinating distraction. And for photo buffs, there are of course the stunning views of Mounts Baker and Larrabee, the western section of the High Divide, and, in Canada, the Border Peaks.

Soon you reach the junction for Yellow Aster Butte – a mile and a half from the trailhead. Your destination is to the left. Heading right follows a trail to Tomyhoi Lake, another 2.5 miles away.
The trail to Yellow Aster Butte flattens out some on this next section, as you traverse around the south flank of the mountain. You can breathe easy and take in the views all around you for a little more than two miles, until reaching an unsigned junction 3.6 miles from the trailhead.

Backpackers may want to ditch heavy packs at camp. If so, head left. This trail descends on narrow, steep switchbacks to the camping area. Day hikers will want to head right, to the summit of Yellow Aster Butte. From here, the views are stunning, with Baker, Shuksan, Tomyhoi, and many other jagged, snow-covered peaks lining your horizon.

Taking Children

This is a great hike for children, it is demanding but can be done by most determined youngsters and well prepared parents!


    Rate this Hike

    user_profile
    2 years, 8 months ago
    Terrific hike, despite the smoke that rolled in. A good trail with a variety of landscapes and vistas. Started hiking at 7:30 am on a Friday and had the true summit to myself for about half an hour. The view of Mt. Larrabee and the border peaks was awesome. Please note that the Gaia GPS track I followed had “loop” in the title, but there’s no loop. It’s an out-and-back trail.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    2 years, 10 months ago
    Excellent hike! My GPS measured it as 8.2 miles. Walked 6 hours with many stops. Despite doing it on a very foggy day, it was a beautiful hike.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    5 years, 10 months ago
    got an early start Sunday, had the mountain almost all to myself. Only people I ran into were backpackers on their way down. On our way back we saw a few groups coming up. Highly recommend leaving the city by 6am to start by 9am.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    10 months, 4 weeks ago

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Public Tracks

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SnugMap2858 10 years, 10 months ago
Yellow Aster Butte
Crazy drive up the "Primitive Road". Four wheel drives a must here. Starts with some switchbacks between the forest and the meadows. Work your way up to the "kill zone" where all of the game trails converge at a swamp (see the pics of the cougar and Grey Wolf tracks). Continue up from there to the open meadows and turn left towards the butte. Immediately into the large snowfields which were fun to cross (watch and listen for the giant marmots). The call them "whistle pigs" for good reason. They are LOUD. Amazing views from the top, with lots of places for lunch and great photo ops. Super run down (not overly techical, but fun).
user_profile
Nicholas Heilweil 10 years, 10 months ago
Rob: Yellow Aster Butte
Crazy drive up the "Primitive Road". Four wheel drives a must here. Starts with some switchbacks between the forest and the meadows. Work your way up to the "kill zone" where all of the game trails converge at a swamp (see the pics of the cougar and Grey Wolf tracks). Continue up from there to the open meadows and turn left towards the butte. Immediately into the large snowfields which were fun to cross (watch and listen for the giant marmots). The call them "whistle pigs" for good reason. They are LOUD. Amazing views from the top, with lots of places for lunch and great photo ops. Super run down (not overly techical, but fun).
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FullPath5758 9 months ago
Glacier Hike
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/17053074566
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MistyStorm3414 4 years, 8 months ago
Yellow Aster Butte (9/29/20, 10:35:50AM)
Beautiful fall colors. With Tracy
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