Blue Lake/Dock Butte Trailhead

Amazing lake, even better lookout. This trail is no joke folks. While experienced folks will not have any issue whatsoever, new hikers will have some problems:

•It's a pretty intense drive up a forest service road that is slick as greased butter in the winter.

•Most of the hike is >3k ft altitude. The lookout is at almost 5k ft. There's a SERIOUS shortage of oxygen at this altitude when experienced by people that live by the water at sea level.

•There is deep snow in October, and it's COLD when the sun is not hitting you.

•Massive ravines and cliffs line the trails and roads. BE CAREFUL.

•When the sun drops below the peaks, it gets DARK in the trees. And even COLDER. You need to be heading down well before dusk.

All that being said, I have a torn labrum in my hip, and two tears in my shoulder, with three slipped cervical discs, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis of the spine and pelvis. I did just fine..????????‍♂️

Blue lake is a nice little hike very flat and easy with a beautiful lake Sunrise here has to be experience

Don’t miss the turn and start hiking towards elbow lake in the middle of winter (tiring day). Once you get to trail head it’s a short hike in can get steep then amazing views.

Great hike! Amazing 360 views of Mt Baker and cascade wilds. Some fun in the snow. A few snowfield and steep scramble areas.

Awesome spot. Pretty long haul in the car up from the main road on gravel but once you get up to the top there is a parking lot and a bathroom. The hike into Blue Lake is very moderate and totally doable with kids. There are a few steep and muddy spots but very manageable