Mt. Baker Snowshoe - Artist Point & Huntoon Point - Mt. Baker, WA

May 9, 2017

Spring snowshoeing at Mt. Baker! The road is snow/ice free to the parking lot at the end of the road, The road to Heather Meadow and Artist Point is still closed. The snow is still deep and plenty in the mountain. It'll be a while to melt away. I hiked up to Artist Point and also took a side trip to Huntoon Point. The views were spectacular with some clouds forming over the mountains.....Mt. Shaksun, Mt. Baker, Table Mountain, Glacier Peak, Baker Lake and US/Canadian border peaks. I almost had the entire mountain just for myself until I saw a couple of campers and skiers. This is one of my favorite hikes whenever I do for all seasons, snow white mountains and landscape in winter/spring or carpets of wildflowers and meadows in summer/fall.

For this trip report:

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-rep...

 Video by Lifeisamt

Colchuck Lake - Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA

Colchuck Lake may be described as a "mountaineer’s inspiration" for its beauty and terrain with a strenuous hike. It is peacefully tucked at 5,600' in Alpine Lakes Wilderness where untouched wilderness and pristine nature still exist. Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a stunningly beautiful area with rugged mountain ranges dominating the skyline – Mt. Stuart range. Colchuck Lake is one of the gateways to the pristine Alpine Lakes.  

From Leavenworth, drive 8.5 miles south on Icicle Creek Rd (Forest Service Road 7600). Turn left on Forest Service Road 7601 and drive 4 miles to the trailhead - Stuart Lake at the end of the road.  The route to Colchuck Lake is trail #1599, 2.5 miles to a Y split. The right trail leads to Stuart Lake, but keep left for Colchuck Lake instead. From there, climb 1100 feet in just 1.6 miles to reach the north shore of the lake. Follow the path another 1.1 miles south to the opposite shore where Colchuck Glacier is, and you can continue your exploration.

If you have enough stamina, climb another 1,000’ – 2,000’ vertical at the gulch, the view of the lake and Colchuck Peak from the cirque (half way to the peak) is breathtaking. Dragontail Peak juxtaposes right where you stand.  If you are to overnight, descending south to the other side of the ridge leads you to Enchantment Lakes, Inspiration Lake, Little Annapurna and all that magical wonderland of Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers.

Roundtrip 8.4 + miles 

Elevation Gain 2400 ft (Colchuck Lake)

Elevation Gain 3200 ft (Colchuck Glacier Cirque - 6,400’) 

Snowshoe Heather Meadow to Artist Point - Mt. Baker, WA

Snowshoe Heather Meadow to Artist Point - Mt. Baker, WA

1 -1 -2013

Roundtrip - 5.5 miles

Elevation Gain - 1,200'

Highest Point - 5,200'

This is a great snowshoe adventure to experience "winter wonderland". The route is a gradual ascent with some steep grade. Basic snowshoeing skills are recommended.   Enjoy spectacular views all along to Artist Point from the trailhead (Baker Ski Heather Meadow parking lot) are beautiful and breathtaking. 360 grand vistas at Artist Point are jaw-dropping with Mt. Shaksun, Table Mountain and Mt. Baker. Also, magically impressed are colors and shapes of the terrains in white snow under the blue sky. The route also offers an option to explore Chain Lakes trail down below Table Mountain and the frozen lakes.  Make sure to bring 10 essentials and check avalanche report in advance.  Enjoy the adventure and beauty of winter wonderland!

How to get there:

From Bellingham, drive east on State Route 542 (Mount Baker Highway) to the road end, about 55 miles, at the upper parking lot of the Mount Baker Ski Area.

Useful info:
Glacier Public Service Center - 24-hour self-service outdoor information, restrooms, picnic tables and staffed visitor services on a seasonal schedule.& Visitors can buy books, maps and other sales items including federal recreation passes.
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center - weather and avalanche forecast.

*Click to view large.

Table Mountain and snowshoers on Chain Lake trail

 

 Heather Meadow Visitor Center and Table Mountain

View north looking down toward trailhead parking lot.

 Mt. Shaksun - 9,131'

 
         





                
                   Winter Wonderland.....

View southwest of Artist Point - Mt. Baker (10,781')

View northeast of Artist Point - Mt. Shaksun.