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
