Yellow Aster Butte Trailblazer hike

18 happy hikers met together to hike Yellow Aster Butte, we split up into a slow group and a fast group. I chose to hike with the slow group as I'm hiking this weekend and didn't want to get overly tired. What a day, the weather couldn't have been better. The faster group went to the top, while ours was content to go to a small knoll just 3 miles in.

We began our climb up the trail with beautiful greenery all around us and great views.

Pat, Connie and Frank starting up the trail

Mt. Baker in the distance with wildflowers in the foreground.

The views just kept getting better and better. 

Click on the picture below to see the full panorama of Mt. Baker and Yellow Aster Butte.

I loved the open trail areas -

We found a nice spot and settled in for lunch.

Ed, Connie, Al, Joe and Pat

My lunch view ;-) of Shuksan way in the distance.

We had just a short section of snow to cross -

Al, Joe, Connie and Pat crossing the snow

and finally heading back with a perfect view of Tomohoi peak in the distance.

Most of us had reached the parking lot when we heard that one of our hikers was having difficulty on the way down, and was still a bit of a distance away from finishing. Ed and I hiked back up to see if we could be of help. It turned out all that was needed was a little encouragement and some kind of distraction to make the trip down a little easier. We were willing to please. Ed did his best in the front to flatten the trail and remove the rocks (ha!), Joan, Owen (who were already there) and I did the motivating and distracting. We were all proficient in our duties, and after a long day, we all piled into our cars albeit a little later than we'd planned but all safe and sound. Another great hike with our fun, supportive group. 

Endomondo stats:

Total miles hiked - 6 miles

Minimum altitude - 3655 feet

Maximum altitude - 5309 feet

Total ascent -1939 feet

Total descent - 1944 feet

extra distance to give emotional support and encouragement:

Total miles hiked - 1.53 miles

Minimum altitude - 3663 feet

Maximum altitude - 4184 feet

Total ascent - 530 feet

Total descent - 515 feet