The pointed summit of Yellow Aster Butte above slopes of fall color, with snowy Mt. Baker in the distance
Photo: Jeff Hollett · CC0 1.0 · cropped

Yellow Aster Butte

Hard Planned

Mt. Baker

On the list. Not hiked yet.

Road access: Open

4.5 mi of rough gravel (FR 3065). SUV preferred, sedans manage. Roadside parking on a narrow road.

As of . Road status changes; check the land manager before you go.

Distance
7.5 mi
Gain
2,550 ft
High point
6,241 ft
Route
out-and-back
Season
Jul–Oct
Drive from Seattle
~2h 50m
Pass
Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful

Best time of year

Out of season · Best Jul–Oct, peak Sep

Best in mid to late September for fall color and berries.

Peak In season Out of season This month

Steep climb to a high plateau scattered with tarns, with Baker, Shuksan and the border peaks all around. One of the best fall-color hikes in the North Cascades.

  • tarns
  • fall color
  • berries
  • border-peak views

Trailhead weather

46°F

☀️ Clear sky

💨 17 mph

🌧️ 3%

☀️ UV 0

Fri

🌦️

49°

35°

86%

Sat

🌦️

38°

35°

94%

Sun

🌧️

38°

32°

99%

More photos · 2, by season where the date is known

Yellow Aster Butte and its tarn-dotted plateau in August green

Summer · Aug 2022 Yellow Aster Butte and its tarn-dotted plateau in August green

Photo: Jeff Hollett · Public domain · cropped 1 / 2