John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2025-09-09

Location: Yellow Aster Butte

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

			  	Alt.	Miles
Trailhead:		9:10	3700	0
Tomyhoi Lake Trail:	10:15	5160	2.2
Knoll:			11:45	6170	4.3
Leave:			12:15		
Tomyhoi Lake Trail:	1:30		6.6
Trailhead:		2:30		8.6

The trail wastes no time immediately steeply switchbacking up the hillside.  This continues a couple miles before the grade lowers a bit, though the whole trail is pretty much all uphill. 

At 2.2 miles a trail to Tomyhoi Lake branches off to the right.  The trail to Yellow Aster Butte continues to the left around the head of the valley.  Looking across the valley, you can see the trail higher up the hillside.  You can also look up and see your final objective. 

The trail crossed under the south face around to the west side where the slope is less.  Here you can see a plethora of little lakes. 

The trail then turns eastward steeply grinding up the hill to a knoll.  Due to the altitude and the steepness, this part of the trail was slow going. 

Upon reaching the knoll, we were a bit dismayed to find the trail continued east, first descending a couple hundred feet to follow the ridge to another knoll, somewhat higher. It is said this second knoll requires a bit of a rock scramble to top.  We, like many people, decided to stay at the first knoll and call that good enough. 

We had lunch there while admiring the views before heading down. 

This trail makes you work for it, but it provides some grand scenery. 

Cloudy view of Mt. Baker. 

View of the upper basin. 

Lakes in the upper basin. 

Steep trail up to the knoll. 

Taking a break before the climb to the knoll. 

Lunch at the knoll with Yellow Aster Butte behind. 

Trail to the knoll from the top. 

Looking down at the trail from the top of the knoll. 

Wildflowers

Dead tree near bottom of trail.