Tomyhoi Peak rises in the Mount Baker Wilderness near the Canadian border, west of Mount Larrabee. The nearby Yellow Aster Butte, with its sweeping wildflower meadows and quiet alpine benches, offers a softer counterpart to Tomyhoi’s rocky summit. While the origin of “Tomyhoi” is uncertain, it may stem from early exploration in the region or indigenous languages.1 Together, the two peaks form one of the most scenic day trip combos in the North Cascades.
See more trip photos here.
Tomyhoi Peak and Yellow Aster Butte at a Glance
Access: Yellow Aster Butte Trailhead
Round Trip: 13.7 miles
Elevation Range: 3640′-7435′
Essential Gear: helmet, microspikes, ice ax
Route Info: Vineeth Madhusudanan
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no
Playlist: Afrobeats, Beats, Guitars
A Word on the Final Scramble
First off, accounts of Tomyhoi Peak’s final stretch from varied online sources are all over the map. Some claim it is a walk in the park, while others believe it is way above their pay grade. Over time, casual hikers have been misled by the small number of day climbers into misjudging the difficulty of the climb. So, the actual ‘hiking’ portion typically stops where the maintained trail ends.
The peak is not a hike-up if one hopes to be on a trail from start to finish. Along with difficult downclimbing, the route includes exposed terrain, steep rock, and sloping slabs. Losing footing while reaching for the ridge notch is more concerning than the run-out at the snowfield below. A rappel setup nearby, left by previous climbing parties, often mitigates the risk of downclimbing.
Road and Parking Conditions
Our long day began with the familiar, bumpy 4.5-mile drive from Mount Baker Highway to the trailhead. The road, covered in potholes, was roughly in the same condition as on our previous visits. In several spots, driving straight through the dips felt less bumpy than trying to bypass them. All the while, Connor seemed unfazed as the car bounced over the rough patches.
By late afternoon, the dozen cars parked near the trailhead in the morning would have multiplied tenfold. Many of them would even spill around the nearest two bends in the road. Campers would continue to arrive as we hiked out later. The steady stream of hikers was setting the stage for another busy night ahead at the tarns.
Trail Approach and Water Sources
An excellent, at times rocky, four-mile trail led to the tarns, the destination for campers. An unofficial but decent path continued upward toward the peak. Streams from snowmelt in the lower basin crossed the path, providing reliable water sources. We encountered lingering snow en route, including the snowfield at the end of the trail on the eastern slopes.
Mosquitoes were less bothersome. However, on our way down, some people we met along the upper trail mentioned the insects were terrible, especially down at the tarns. We would later find out for ourselves, since the breeze had kept the insects at bay during much of the ascent.
The Tarns and Their Popularity
The picturesque area around the tarns was expansive enough to house an army of campers. However, if one’s goal is to seek solitude, this likely was not the best place for it. Later, on the way to Yellow Aster Butte, several dozen more tents would pop up in the basin. It was quite the sight.
From the outlet, a side trail by the tarns continued south and dropped 100 feet to another set of ponds. On our way down from Yellow Aster Butte, I only noticed one tent in that area, and the views were comparable. It seemed that a little extra walking could provide a much more peaceful camping experience.
The Climb Up Tomyhoi Peak
Following a defined trail, we reached Peak 6480 but dropped 200 feet to a notch. From there, the path gradually rose to its end below the southeast ridge. Since the technical scramble portion was not suitable for dogs, Connor settled in a nearby alcove by the snow. Ascending a steep snow ramp and the exposed, sloping slabs soon took me up to the notch north of Peak 7000.
Climber’s path on the south side went over the false summit before dropping 100 feet. From the notch, the final ascent involved an exposed rock face leading to the rugged summit above the viewing area. The breathtaking vista included Mount Baker, as well as Goat Mountain and Mount Sefrit, which we would visit later. Soon, I retraced the route and reunited with Connor at the snow.
A Detour to Yellow Aster Butte
From the fork above the tarns, we followed a defined trail to Yellow Aster Butte’s south peak. Two hikers were enjoying their lunch on top. Then we traversed north on the ridgeline to reach the main peak after a brief, rocky finish. The route was straightforward and offered continuously expanding views of the surrounding landscape.
Near the end, the trail disappears by the sloping slabs below the trees before reappearing. Seeing the secluded Tomyhoi Lake from the vantage point of Yellow Aster Butte was truly unforgettable. The remarkable vistas of Mount Larrabee and the Canadian Border Peaks were also a true highlight.
A Warm Day and Busy Trail
It was another super warm day in the North Cascades, which made the climb more strenuous. Lower down, horseflies were a constant annoyance for Connor throughout the approach. But now and then, small pools along the way offered the dog some respite. The persistent bugs were the main downside of an otherwise fantastic day in the mountains.
We met fellow climbers Jay and JC on the summit, then saw Tim and Jenna from Bellingham by the snow. Despite the heat and bugs, people continued to arrive throughout the afternoon to soak in the beautiful weather. Overall, the mix of technical scrambling, ridge walking, and expansive summit views made the trip memorable and rewarding.
FAQ: Tomyhoi Peak and Yellow Aster Butte Climb
The final section involves exposed slabs and steep rock, including a downclimb at the west notch. It is not a trail hike and requires comfort with exposed class 3 terrain.
Yes, hikers on average can link both summits in a long summer day, starting early to reach the tarns, complete Tomyhoi’s scramble, and traverse Yellow Aster Butte’s ridgeline.
Most campers stay in the tarn basin below Yellow Aster Butte. However, a quieter spot lies about 100 feet below the main basin, offering similar views with fewer people.
- SummitPost.org: Tomyhoi Peak overview. ↩︎