What a beautiful day for snowshoeing! Perfect with blue sky and powder
snow. Artist Point is one of my favorite hikes through all
seasons....either for summer/fall hike or winter/spring snowshoeing.
It was after noon when I arrived at the upper parking lot of Baker Ski located at the end of HWY 542, and the spacious lot was completely full. Considering it's a holiday season, I recommend arriving earlier for convenience as even overflow parking along the road tends to get pretty full when it gets crowded. Also, the route to Artist Point from traihead gets in the shade by early afternoon, so that's another good reason to start early if you prefer to snowshoe in sunlight.
The road was clear of snow and well plowed all the way yesterday, but some icy spots on road surface. It was a smooth drive except that there was a section of one way lane traffic control due to road work on 542. It takes extra time to get through the wait line, particularly when everyone is on the road after leaving about the same time between 4pm - 5 pm. It took me extra 20 min. to get through the west bound traffic.
The snowshoeing route to Artist Point is obvious and easy to follow since there are well established snowshoe tracks en route....basically you trek up southeast parallel to the ski run from TH/parking lot toward Artist Point. Also, there is an option to snowshoe down to Chain Lakes....I noticed quite a few hikers with/without snowshoes exploring down to the snow covered lakes yesterday.
There are a few steep slopes you have to ascend to get to Artist Point, but they are not that long and doable for average hikers....just pace yourself. There is a lot of snow up there and it was a powder condition, not icy at all yesterday. I had gaiters in my pack, but they were not necessary to put on.
Enjoy the views on the way to and at Artist Point in all directions....breathtaking vistas - Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Table Mountain, other Cascade ranges of US/Canada border and Baker Lake down below. It's a beauty of winter wonderland! From Artist Point, I trekked up to Huntoon Point....the high point at the southeast of Artist Point where you can overlook Artist Point and take a dramatic closeup view of Mt. Shuksan just for yourself.
All the way back to the parking lot from Artist Point, Mt. Shuksan was magically entertaining through expressing a change of colors from snow white to yellow, orange, red and purple reflecting the sunset light.
By the way, it is always a good protocol to check avalanche forecast in advance when you hike into a snow country.
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