Scott Paul Trail — Saturday, Jul. 19, 2003

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Got going early and decided to do the Scott Paul trail I read about in the new Loop Trails guidebook recieved as a premium for joining WTA. Glad I had not reviewed Fivers report from last week, as that might have scared me off. Snow is down to patches, easy to cross and no problem finding trail. It's still a bit early for wildflowers, but amazing views and lots of fat, happy marmots who weren't a bit shy. Views are awesome, as is old growth forest the trail descends through heading back to the trailhead (assuming one starts up Park Butte trail and goes clockwise). No problem crossing the creeks in the early am, although given the melt cycle they might still kick up later in the day. Just the ticket if you want this awesome scenary all to yourself; there were easily 30 cars in the lot and I did not see a soul the entire trip.