*added note:  TRAILHEAD ROAD. SIDE OF ROAD SLOUGHS OFF TO DROP OFF!  Approximately a 1/4 mile from the trailhead we came across two young hikers who were trying to be careful to avoid potholes as they were driving home.  They pulled a little too much to the shoulder and the road sloughed off.  We drove them to town as we could not push the car out.  It was at risk of falling down the ravine.  They were told it would cost over $1000 and would be two days before they could tow it!  We were able to get two AMAZING SAMARITANS to help pull her car out!   It took two trucks and tying off to trees.  4 1/2 hours later, we were all on our merry way home.  Thank you!  Thank you Seth and Adam!

 Originally we planned to overnight at Park Butte but it looked like a conga line going up so we decided to zag instead of zig and took a right at the Y and headed up Railroad Grade instead.  I am super happy we did!  We were the only ones at High Camp and we were tickled pink.  Now to the details:

Dogs:  I  personally would never bring a dog on this hike unless you were stopping before the ridge.  I couldn’t fathom it.   The ridge walk is precarious in spots.  One pull on the leash you and the dog could go over.   In certain spots the ledge looks like it could easily slough off. 
Water:   The water is extremely limited at top.  If you are camping at High Camp over the other side of the ridge there is a small stream.  Not really trickling but looks clean.
Camp Conditions:  Resist the urge to camp in the sunny open spot unless you want to feel like you’re in a wind tunnel all night long.  Pick the most sheltered spot.  They are really nice and flat.  

Views and crowds:  million dollar views and zero crowds (at least that day).

I took advantage of a sunny fall weekend to take a friend up backpacking for the first time, and the mountain did not disappoint.

We arrived at about 11 to a mostly full lot. Bathrooms were clean and blue bags available for the hike itself. The trail starts out with a subalpine woods meander, with great views of Kulshan already. Then come a small set of switchbacks before the trail opens into alpine meadow and begins the steady climb up the side of the moraine. We camped just above the crossroads. The sites were all empty when we got there, but filled up about 3/4s as the day went on. Further up, there was no one at the middle sites, and just the one tent getting blasted by wind at the highest site just below the glacier.

Ripe blueberries everywhere, pretty good fall color, whistling marmots, and a very light dusting of snow on the peaks. A little flurry fell in the morning as we made breakfast, so I’d guess the snow-free season is nearly past.

No issue with the creek crossings, both forded at midday. The temporary bridge was still there.

I have hiked this trail several times BUT this is the first time we could not cross the stream at around the 1-mile mark.  

Based on what I read on AllTrails, there is a bridge over this stream that apparently is taken down in the fall.

When we got to the stream there were several groups of hikers trying to find a way to ford this stream.  We turned back because we could not find any place safe or dry to cross.

It would sure be nice if WTA could somehow find out when this bridge gets removed and include this information.  It would have saved us and many others a wasted trip on one of the last nice days of the season.

    This was a fantastic hike! I think it deserves a more descriptive name than "Railroad Grade" , but the reality is that this trail really is very moderately and consistently sloped, so the 2,500 feet or so of elevation gain is nicely spread out over the entire distance. The whole trail itself is really one of the best maintained trails I have been on all year, and is very easy on the knees and ankles compared to most other hikes like this. There are a couple of creek crossings that may be a bit of a challenge for kids and dogs, but they are manageable. The last 3/4 of a mile on the ridge above the Easton Glacier moraine is exhilarating, with amazing views, but it is pretty "airy" and exposed, so if you are inclined to get vertigo, you may want to pass on this one. On the way back down, I took a short side trip on the Scott Paul trail, to the suspention bridge above the creek. It only takes about 15 minutes to get to the bridge, and is a very worthwhile side trip. No bugs, moderate amount of other hikers, and I will definitely be returning to this beautiful area

A nice day below the south side of Mount Baker. The temperature was in the high 50's to 60. There was lots of room in the parking lot even with three or four climbing organizations vehicles with trailers. They outnumbered the hikers I met on the trail in the morning. I did meet another small group early on mushroom pickers who looked like they had had a good day.

The crossing at Rocky Creek was easy with the footbridge having ample room to clear the creek. When I returned about 3.5 hours later it was still fine but the water volume was much higher and turned from the morning's milky white to brown. All the trails are in good condition but the Railroad Grade has some sections that could tighten a person up if you don't care for narrow tread and don't care for heights (or, as Steven Wright says.. "I'm not afraid of heights. Not me. I'm afraid of widths"). Its well worth the trek to see so many natural formations from the grade: Park Butte Lookout across the meadow, Cathedral Craig, Seward, Lincoln and Colfax Peaks, Mount Baker, the Easton Glacier, Metcalf Moraine and the source of Rocky Creek.

There are still blueberries to pick but to early for the bushes to turn into their autumn colors. The wildflowers are over for their short season. The usual marmots didn't make an appearance but there were pikas, chipmunks, ravens, Canada jays and lots of what looked like swallows going after bugs on the wing.

The two access roads, FR-12 and 13 are in very good condition until the last two miles before the parking. There are lots of small potholes and some washboarding but any vehicle can make it.

BYOTP-There was no toilet paper left in either of the restrooms.