North Cascades
Overview
Docke Butte is an easy climb offering truly spectacular 360 degree views of the Baker lake region. The vista includes views of: Baker (Easton glacier), American Border Peak, Mt. Larabee, the Plieades, Mt. Shuksan, North Cascades National Park, Baker Lake, Glacier Peak, Mt. Rainier, The Olympics, Mt. Vernon and the Puget Sound, Twin Sisters Range, and more.
In summer you gain 1,350 on a nicely graded trail and in winter the scariest part is the drive up the steep one lane road. The car does most of the climbing as the road climbs over 3,000 vertical feet. The last .5 mile is moderately exposed in sections.
The summit is small but comfortable the south face is very precipitous dropping 500+ feet. Dock Butte ranks 100th in Washington with 2,309ft of prominence. This is a great place to get a look at the current conditions of the Easton Glacier. Climbers can be seen on Mt. Baker with a good pair of binoculars. Bugs can be horrendous in summer so don't go lite on the bug spray.
One can cool off before or after this hike at Blue lake, a small but nice lake in a beautiful cirque, only a 3/4 of a mile from the car. Good Campsites are also available at Blue lake.
Water is not available on Dock butte.
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Getting There
- Take exit 230 off I-5 head East the you'll have to turn left and then right again (well marked) to stay on Hwy 20
- Follow State Route 20 EAST to milepost 82
- Turn LEFT (north) on Baker Lake Highway (Forest Service Road #11)
- Continue on the Baker Lake Hwy for 12 miles
- Turn LEFT on F.S. Road #12 stay left at forks
- After 7 miles turn LEFT on Road #1230
- After 4 miles the trailhead and parking area are located in at the end of the road
Current Road Conditions
- Once in boots, the hiking trail forks in .25 miles, the left fork leads another .5 miles to Blue lake, take the right fork to Docke Butte.
Road open (if passable) in winter Seasonal Gate closes November 1 to July 1 at MP 8.2. (8.5 miles from the end of the road & 5.4 miles before Pioneer Camp Trailhead) DOES NOT APPLY To Dock Butte
Views from the road are really quite incredible, its probably worth just driving up this road if you're in the area and don't have time to hike.
Red Tape
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. Passes cost $5/day or $30/year.
Where to get PARKING PASSES:
- Sedro-Woolley Ranger Station
810 State Route 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Open Monday-Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
(360) 856-5700 ext 515 - Baker Lake Resort (on Baker Lake)
Baker Lake, WA
Mon-Thurs 9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Fri-Sun 7:00 am - 7:30 pm
888-711-3033
When To Climb
All year. This is just a basic running shoe compatible day-hike in summer. Winter ascents depend on road & snow conditions. Dock Butte is a much more serious undertaking in winter, prior knowledge of avalanche safety required.
Check Snow Level
Check Avalanche Report Dock Butte can definitely produce slides. You're mostly on East and Northeast aspects, up to 45 degrees
Check Weather Forecast
Remember that these are general warnings and forecast, always use good judgement and retreat if necessary.
Current Road Conditions
Camping
Camping is allowed at Blue lake, which also offers good fishing and swiming. There are 4-5 campsites available at Blue lake.
Necessary Equipment
Summer:
- trail-runners or boots
- tons of bug spray
- Water
Winter:
- Plastic or Leather Mountaineering Boots
- Snowshoes or Skis
- Shovel, Probe, Beacon
- Possibly an Axe and Crampons late season
Additions and Corrections
[ Post an Addition or Correction ]
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| rgb2 | Corrections | |
Voted 9/10 | 1. The links to Blue Lake are dead. 2. Dock Butte, not Docke Butte. 3. Mount Larrabee, not Mt. Larabee. | |
| Posted Sep 6, 2010 2:59 am | ||
| Cascade Scrambler | Addition | |
Hasn't voted | It's the Blue Lake TH. | |
| Posted Sep 1, 2012 10:10 pm | ||
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