Park Butte - via Park Butte Trail, October 2023

Rising steeply above Thornton Lake in the North Cascades of Washington, 5,966-foot trappers peak makes for an outstanding shoulder season objective with incredible 360-degree views. Fresh from hiking Park Butte near Mount Baker, I proceeded to the Thornton Lakes Trailhead for a fine can-o-chilli dinner and car camp on a brisk late October evening. Got going the next day, chasing another party who had arrived that morning in their Subaru and woke me from my blissful slumber. The Thornton Lakes Trail climbs through beautiful forest to a ridge crest at 5,000 ft with views down to the Thornton Lakes and across to Mount Triumph. Stopped here for a few minutes to reflect on the previous times I was up here en route to climb the Northeast Ridge of Mount Triumph some 22 years ago and more recently Mount Despair about 14 years ago. Seems like just yesterday!
I ignored the trail that descends to the lakes this time and instead proceeded along a climbers path up the ridge before me. Encountered some snow here, but thanks to the approach being largely south-facing, I found it to be inconsequential...plus I had tracks to follow! Up to the supposed "crux" knife edge, which I found to be a big nothing and then on up to the summit where BAM! a tremendous view on the Picket Range slaps you in the face! Been a while since I'd seen these peaks from up close, and rest assured they still inspire me to this day!
Looking around, so many peaks and glaciers to behold and for me to reflect on adventures of decades past. Thornton and Triumph to the NW with "The Fence" dominating the view to the north. A sliver of Diablo Lake, Jack Mountain and Crater Mountain to the ENE with peaks of the Snowfield Group closer to the ESE. Then SE to the Inspiration-Klawatti Icecap area with Big Devil and co. to the south. And finally, a fine view looking west down the Skagit River Valley with Whitehorse and Three Fingers standing proud in the distance. It has been said that Trappers is a personal favorite of local peakbagging legend John Roper and that this peak inspired his passion for mountaineering in the Washington Cascades. Having finally been up top myself, I can certainly appreciate why ol' Roper felt the way he did!
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