Thursday, February 19, 2015

Snowshoeing at Artist's Point.


We were back at our favorite spot for snowshoeing on Thursday, January 29.  Artist's Point is not only a high altitude location that is easily accessible but provides some of the most fantastic scenery in the North Cascades, with Mount Baker to the south, Mount Larrabee and the Border Peaks to the north, Mount Shuksan to the east, and Table Mountain to the west..  We went with a couple (and their puppy, Charlie) who recently moved here and were showshoeing for the first time.  It was a gloriously beautiful day with some clouds moving in and out, but mostly sunshine and unseasonable warm weather.  We climbed to the highest point, had our lunch and a cup of hot coffee at the top and then headed back down.  We had enough snow for snowshoeing and there were skiers out as well, but the area has had very little snowfall this winter and the ski resorts are suffering as a result.  That did not, however, trouble us.

starting up with Table Mountain in the distance




Herman Saddle to the west of Table Mountain


Mount Larrabee and the Border Peaks to the north



Table Mountain again



first view of Mount Shuksan to the east


our destination in the distance


Mount Shuksan and Shuksan Arm now visible



at the top near Table Mountain


looking back


 Mount Baker





Baker Lake to the southeast




Shuksan, Baker and Larrabee with the Border Peaks




more of Mount Baker



lenticular cloud over Baker


 Shuksan, Table Mountain and Baker from the top




the trail from above


snow


my wife waiting below the highest point


Mount Shuksan


clouds moving in over Table Mountain


   
to the southeast

Gray Jays


Larrabee and the Border Peaks


at the top




Mount Baker in the clouds


Shuksan Arm


clearing again




headed back down after lunch and coffee at the top




last views of Shuksan



Herman Saddle


Table Mountain and Upper Bagley Lake


Upper Bagley Lake



 Charlie