After returning from the Tetons and resting for a day, we realized that cold, wintry weather was on its way ... so we had a couple of days to cram in perhaps our last backpacking of the season. Our options were somewhat limited, due to the smoke from ongoing fires. The Mt. Baker area looked like the best chance of avoiding the smoke, so off we went to Yellow Aster Butte. We had visited this area several years ago, but had taken the old and longer trail (due to trusting a 1980's guidebook). We had actually made it up to the camping basin, but had turned around without exploring due to the very cloudy conditions.
This time, however, we scored big. Perfect weather and drop-dead views of Mt Shuksan and Mt Baker. And some fall colors, to boot! On paper, the hike looks like a breeze (3+ miles, 2200' gain), but seemed a bit longer. Perhaps it's the fairly steep pitch of the trail as it climbs. Regardless, we dropped into the basin and picked a camping spot on a commanding knoll. After lunch and a short rest, we scurried up towards the top of Yellow Aster Butte in the late afternoon. Great views!
The night was clear and cold, with lots of stars. In the morning, we hoofed it up several miles and 2000+ feet up the shoulder of Tomyhoi Peak. Spectacular, with peaks as far as you could see! We don't have a very good handle on what peaks we're seeing, but they sure look impressive! Then it was a slog back down to camp, then back out to the trailhead. Ouch on the knees ... about 4200' down!
We had some good bird sightings on the trip. First, we saw several hawks cruising around looking for prey. They were riding the thermals, then making low swoops along the ground. We each saw a few ptarmigans as we poked around the nooks and crannies of the basin. There seemed to be a small parade of ravens as dark approached. Not sure where they were going, but we've seen this type of migration behavior in city crows in the morning and evening. And, after dark, we watched an owl circle around our promontory for a few minutes (not very high, either) ... probably looking for food but maybe checking us out! Pretty special!
All in all, an excellent trip. Got in a good workout and had killer views. We'll need to remember these special days during the long winter months ahead! And sure enough, smoke returned the following day, and the cold and rain another day after that ... bringing snow to the mountains. Hopefully, we can squeeze in a bit more hiking before winter!
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| Karen and Mt Baker |
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| Basin below Yellow Aster Butte (note white/red tent left center) |
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| Ptarmigan |
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| Evening light on Keep Kool Butte |
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| Evening light on Canadian Border Peak and American Border Peak (l to r) |
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| Sunset on Mt Shuksan |
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| Mt Baker sunrise |
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| Mt Shuksan and Tarn at sunrise |
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| Breakfast! |
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| East panorama from shoulder of Tomyhoi Peak (American Border Peak and Mt Larrabee, l to r) |
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| South panaroma from shoulder of Tomyhoi Peak (Mt Shuksan and Mt Baker, l to r) |
Activities
- Backpacking: Yellow Aster Butte + Tomyhoi Peak
5-Star Moments
- Fantastic views of Mt Shuksan and Mt Baker
- Being stalked by an owl!
Random Scenes
- That sure looks like a nice spot for the yellow tent in the grassy meadow. But, as time went by, we didn't notice any activity. Not in the afternoon, not in the evening, not in the morning. Speculation was rampant between us ... Did somebody get lost? Are college kids leaving it up here so different people can come up at different times? Did somebody die in there? Is it being used to smuggle drugs across the border? Tom finally couldn't take it any more, and went over to check it out on the way down from Tomyhoi Peak. And it was empty! Hmmm.
Random Questions
- Why is that empty yellow tent up here?
Tom's Daily Stress Points
- Will this narrow and brutally bumpy logging road be a problem for our car? (stress level = low)
- What will we do if another vehicle comes the other way? (stress level = medium)
- Can I overcome my fear of heights, and keep my balance and traction going down this steep, exposed path (on the shoulder of Tomyhoi Peak)? And up the other side? And then back again on the way down? (stress level = high)
Sleeps
- Tiny House on Wheels (Airbnb, Deming, WA) ... small, thin mattress bottoms out, good breakfast.
Noteable Eats
- North Fork Brewery Pizzaria (Deming, WA ... east of Bellingham) ... decent pizza, good beer.
- Farm-to-Market Bakery (Bow, WA ... on south end of Chuckanut Dr.) ... excellent baked goods, very good sandwiches
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