Friday, November 27, 2015

Snowshoeing to Artist's Point


We've already had more snow in the mountains than we had all of last year.  The ski resort at Mount Baker is open for the season and I decided that if there was enough snow to ski there certainly was enough to do some snowshoeing.  The reports were of three to six feet of base at the ski resot and there certainly was all that and more.

I parked at the ski resort and followed the road (now closed and part of ski run) to Artist's Point and then further up on to the shoulder of Table Mountain.  Artist's Point is a popular viewpoint from which both Mount Baker to the south and Mount Shuksan to the northeast are visible  The road, however, is closed in the winter and accessible only on skis or snowshoes.

Artist's Point is only four miles round trip and is at an elevation of 5100 feet.  I probably did an extra mile to Table Mountain and another 500 feet of elevation.  The day was sunny and cold and there was a lot of fresh powder, so I had a wonderful time, though I missed having my wife along - she is visiting family in Michigan and Illinois.

Mount Shuksan


Table Mountain


Herman Saddle and Herman Peak


Table Mountain



Table Mountain and Herman Saddle


looking back (north)


Mount Shukasan





American Border Peak


snow trails


the road to Artist's Point


Mount Shuksan



snow shadows



Mount Shuksan


the restrooms at Artist's Point



somebody is using them


Mount Baker from Artist's Point


Mount Larrabee and the Border Peaks



camper


Table Mountain


Mount Baker



trails


Mount Baker


Mount Shuksan



Table Mountain


Mount Baker Ski Resort


Glacier Peak


Mount Baker


Table Mountain



Mount Shuksan


the view south


Mount Baker


Mount Shuksan



moi


snow



Mount Shuksan


snow


skier's tracks




view to the northeast


the road to Artist's Point


snow and sunlight


old snag


Mount Shuksan