Park Butte
North Cascades
As of February 5, 2026, the road to Park Butte is open to all vehicles but closes approximately two miles from the summer trailhead, with parking available there. Snow begins around 1.5 miles past the parking area and is consistently deep further up.
Trail navigation is difficult, especially off-trail, but ski tracks were observed and helpful. Obstacles include challenging stream crossings with potentially unstable snow bridges in the Rocky Creek riverbed. The turn-off into the woods from the creekbed is not clearly marked. Snowshoes are recommended over microspikes for crossing the riverbed. Beyond the difficult stream crossings, the trail becomes easier to follow.
generated from 38 reports
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Got to the designated parking at noon on a Thursday, and there were 3 other cars.I had a tough time marking the choices for this one.Road suitable to all vehicles...yes, but it's also closed about 2 m...
Most of the drive is fantastic, just the last 1.5 miles on FR13 has a bunch of potholes, but any car can manage. Water crossings were super easy, even in afternoon. Snow starts just before you break o...
Went on a Thursday. Saw about 8 parties, > 20 people total. Our progress was slowed by picking huckleberries which given their size, one could not resist. Fording the river in the afternoon (around 2p...
I arrived at the trailhead at 10:30 and found plenty of parking. I was actually surprised to find so many hikers on a late fall week day.I hit the trail at 10:45 am. The Rocky Creek crossing was pre...
We made it to the trailhead from Tacoma in about 3 hours, arriving around 10:15am with a quick stop in Sedro Wooley for coffee. The gravel portion of the road is a little bumpy, but any car can handle...
As noted in previous reports, it's just the last mile or so of road that's a little worse for wear. That said, it's more the woop woop type of potholes than bang bang type. Just pay attention and wa...
Arrived at the TH around 10:15am on a Wednesday. Half of the lot was full, but there was still plenty of parking available. The road doesn’t get rough until the last 2 miles. There are some small expo...
Great trail right up to the first stream crossing. My friend and I could get across just barely but my 55 lb standard poodle refused to jump the raging stream. I got into the middle of the stream to h...
Attempted Park Butte yesterday. Drove all the way to the TH. Snow gets deep but manageable in the forest after crossing the stream. In the basin snow was super deep and soft which made our moving supe...
We arrived at the trailhead around 12:15 PM. 2-3 cars in the parking lot. As we began, snow began to fall but tapered off, making for a beautiful scene. The last mile is covered in snow. Most parties ...
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