Established Camping
Yellow Aster Butte
About
National Forest
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
With views into Canada, fiery fall color and sweeping wildflower meadows, the trail to Yellow Aster Butte is one of the most popular in the North Cascades. Located in the Mount Baker Wilderness, the trail traverses the south-facing slopes of the High Divide. As you climb, you are treated to spectacular wildflowers shows in spring and early summer. Come autumn, the hillsides are vivid in orange, reds and yellows. This is a breathtaking area at any time of year, and so understandably popular. Expect plenty of company on trail and arrive early if you plan on camping.
The trail descends on narrow, steep switchbacks to the camping area. Day hikers will want to head right, to the summit of Yellow Aster Butte. From here, the views are stunning, with Baker, Shuksan, Tomyhoi, and many other jagged, snow-covered peaks lining your horizon.
Due to its popularity, the camping area is likely to be full by midday. Please only camp on snow, rock, or bare ground – the meadows here are as fragile as they are beautiful, and even a short overnight stay can seriously damage them.
Reservation Info
Day-use and overnight visitors to the the Alpine Lakes Wilderness will need to fill-out a free, self-issue permit available at ranger stations and trailheads. Carry a copy of the permit with you and deposit a portion in the box at the trailhead. Overnight visitors to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Enchantment Lakes area in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest June 15 - Oct. 15 must obtain a special overnight Wilderness permit.
Location
Yellow Aster Butte is located in Washington
Directions
From Glacier, WA travel east on Mt. Baker Highway SR 542 for about 12 miles. Then turn left ontoTwin Lakes Road (Forest Service road 3065). The road is located at the east end of the Department of Transportation's Shuksan maintenance facility. After 4.5 miles on Forest Service road 3065, reach the Tomyhoi Lake/Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead and parking area.
Coordinates
48.9435 N
121.6625 W
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
LegendRanger Review: Cairn Box at Yellow Aster Butte Campground
This is a back country campsite accessed by a steep trail. It's beautiful and one of my all time favorite hikes. Depending on the time of year, you may cross some snow patches. Once you reach the turn off for the campsites (an open valley dotted with small alpine lakes. Bring your swimsuit - many people were taking cold dips!), a side trip up to the peak is well worth your time. It's a steep push to the top, but the views just keep getting better and better. The campsites themselves are mostly by the lakes, with great views all around. Marmots are common to hang out here, which is a treat. And if you go on a clear night, the starry night is incredible. *This is a rugged campground. Bring a bag to pack out any waste, and yes, that means human waste. There are no toilets here!
-------- Gear Review: As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get products to test and review in the field. I recently got to test a Cairn box www.getcairn.com while at Yellow Aster Butte. I love Cairn boxes. Cairn Subscription boxes are, according to their website: "Outdoor awesomeness delivered monthly in a box." And that is correct! In my box, I got three great products.
Product #1: Picky Bar. Now, it should be noted I am a picky eater. And most energy/protein bars are pretty meh to me. And folks, I'm here to tell you, this bar hit the spot - and seriously curbed my hunger. I''m usually not a fan of tumeric but the combination of spices in this bar made it taste fresh, which is hard to come by in a protein bar, in my opinion. https://pickybars.com/
Product #2: Surface Sun Systems Sunscreen Stick. It's sunscreen that looks like it's deodorant. So I felt a little silly smearing it on my face, especially because it goes on pasty white. But - it's super lightweight, it's tiny, and it spf 45. The only other sunscreen stick I've tried was an spf 15. For a backpacker who is concerned about ounces/not spilling sunscreen all over your gear - this is a great product. After a couple of days in very hot sun I came out not burned and pleased with my stick sunscreen. http://www.surfacecorp.com/
Product #3 the Power Practical Portable Battery Pack. It's quite the name, but this little battery pack packs a punch. Not only is it a battery (which is mighty handy for those of us who take far too many pictures with our cellphones and run out of battery. It happened to my adventure buddy and this was a lifesaver!) but also an impressive flashlight. And, once again, it's tiny and is light. A win, for sure. Just make sure it's charged for you leave your house. :) https://powerpractical.com
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