March 29, 2023: In Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Stats: 7.35 km / 500m gain / 1625m high / 3:25 hours MT
The cobalt blue skies and stark white snow covered peaks presented a perfect palette for the artist's eye. Conditions could not have been better. It was a relaxing day, with no need to rush.
We drove past the upper lodge on WA542 by the Mt. Baker ski resort, staying right and soon coming to the end of the cleared road.
By 10:15am we were geared up and ready to go. Our highest point for the day was at the base of Table Mt. to the right. We started out on the Wild Goose trail.
Clear skies and panoramas from the get-go, lured 20 eager club members out.
Table Mt.
This steep section followed alongside the right of a ski slope. It didn't take long before layers were coming off. By the time we were on the ridge, many had stripped down to shirts.
At the top of this slope we turned right or west and then a left onto Artist Ridge trail.
Looking back at The American Border Peaks + Larrabee Mt. to the left -- north.
Shuksan Mt (2652m) -- east.
Table Mt.
Approaching the ridge where we turned left.
Lake Anne lies at the base of the Lower Curtis Glacier to the upper right.
Mt. Baker (3300m) to our right -- west.
The hump of Huntoon Point (1599m) -- south.
The pointed pinnacles on the Ptarmigan trail to the lower right.
We ascended the Huntoon hill by veering off to the left of it. Since its a popular route, the path was well packed and easy to follow.
Group shot back row, left to right: Heather F, Frank B, Brian F, Michelle K, John McL, Jerry U, Iraj F, Ed W, Janice H
Front row, left to right: me, Maureen S, Terry B, Allana W, Irene H, Johnny G, Nancy N, Carolyn M, Charlotte H, Anita U & Laura F
Heading back; this photo shows Tomyhoii Mt. to the left.
We were certainly not the only ones on the mountain.
We followed the path to the left, which gave us gorgeous views of Mt. Baker. This got us onto the Table Mt. trail.
Looking back.
This was our turn back point. We were watching some climbers summiting Table Mt. on this very steep slope.
Mt. Raineer in the distance -- south.
southwest
Looking back at a few more snowshoers coming up. This loop was obviously less travelled.
Descending.
Glissading didn't work out that well. The snow was getting soft and soggy in the sun. But moon-walking down the untouched snow was fun and relaxing.
Guilty. We messed up the snow.
To the right of this hump is where the summer parking lot is. There was no trace of it nor its restrooms. They were completely buried in snow.
At the base of this very steep short section is where we completed the loop.
We were back at the parking lot by 2:15pm. Here we're driving down and viewing the west side of Shuksan with the upper Hanging Glacier & White Salmon Glacier.
The buried parking lot was almost in the middle of our loop. The Chain Lakes trail is in the upper left.
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