[Tweeters] Yellow Aster Butte

[Stephen Chase]

Hi Jim et al.,

The last 1/2 mile of Yellow Aster Butte is intensely strenuous, but most of
the trail is doable for anyone working their way uphill methodically -
something actively listening birders are apt to do. The lower section
through an avalanche chute is good for MacGillivray's Warblers and
Olive-sided Flycatchers, but can be hot and buggy midday in the summer!
Near treeline (4500 feet) is where things can get particularly interesting:
American Three-toed Woodpeckers nest just before the trail-side campgrounds
right as you approach treeline. The large bowl at treeline, where the trail
splits off to Gold Run Pass and Tomyhoi Lake, is great for Canada Jay,
Sooty Grouse, and other subalpine specialties. Once above tree level, the
alpine sections are excellent for Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, American Pipit,
and, in the right season, good odds of Horned Lark. Golden Eagles have been
spotted numerous times; there is likely a nest along the bluffs above
Tomyhoi Lake.

A long day hike along Yellow Aster Butte can also take you to Tomyhoi Peak.
This would be a much more strenuous option. The large plateau before
Tomyhoi Butte is good for White-tailed Ptarmigan. I've also had Mountain
Chickadee and White-winged Crossbill on this bluff. Other rarities along
the trail include Pine Grosbeak and Lewis's Woodpecker. In the Fall, the
trail has produced migrating American Goshawk, Prairie Falcon, and
Broad-winged Hawk.

The trail is very popular in the summer. The parking lot holds perhaps 50
vehicles, but I have counted upwards of 200 along the road leading up to
the trailhead. In my opinion it's best done early in the morning on a
summer weekday to avoid the heat and crowds. The road is generally
potholey, but is otherwise easily passable for 2WD, although there is one
creek crossing that can be a bit hairy for low-clearance vehicles.

eBird hotspot details: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3916501
AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/yellow-aster-butte-trail
WTA: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/yellow-aster-butte

Stephen Chase
Everson

On Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 2:08 PM Ven. Dhammadinna <sdd.bodhiheart at gmail.com>
wrote:


> Hi Jim,

> I did this trail last August. It is fabled for the great variety of ferns

> that thrive on the two types of rock formations that meet there. It is

> strenuous. A good way to get info about all aspects of a hike is to go to

> wta.org. In their menu bar, select trip reports. In the drop down menu

> write the name of the hike, Yellow Aster Butte. In keyword, put in bird or

> the name of a bird and hit search. The results will show you what others

> before you have reported.

> For eastern Washington bird hikes, Esmeralda Basin is very birdy and not

> so rigorous and it's a lot closer to Puget Sound. I saw Three Toed

> Woodpeckers there that were astonishingly tame. Wta.org also has

> recommended bird hikes---they got Ed Dominguez of Seward Park Audubon to

> pick birdy hikes.

> Happy Trails!

> Dhammadinna

> Seattle

>

> On Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 12:24 PM <jimbetz at jimbetz.com> wrote:

>

>> Hi,

>>

>>    First - I realize that this area is not easily accessed and even not

>> recommended at this time of year - I'm planning ahead.

>>

>>    I just learned of this location.  It's near Mt. Baker and has the

>> oldest

>> rock formations in Washington State.  It's fairly steep - from the trail

>> head to the top is about 2500 feet of elevation gain in just under 4 miles

>> of one way hiking.  But there is a good trail that has lots of visitors

>> every year.

>>

>>    .... sooooo, I'm wondering if this area is very birdy?  And what month

>>                 would be the best to visit it to see the birds of the

>> North

>>                 Cascades?

>>

>>    Have you been here?  I'd love to hear from you if you have.  Other

>> alternative suggestion welcomed.  I'm 79 so "difficult" or "strenous"

>> are not in the cards.

>>                                                                     - Jim

>>

>>

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