Artist’s Point

by oBelIX

Now that I have your attention, let us begin.

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/artist-point-snowshoe

On a cloudless sunny day, the warmest day of the year we popped over to Artists point. I have no pictures of the drive over there but suffice to say that once you get off I-5 and US-20 and onto the two lane road in the mountain you are in for a treat. Do stop at the first sign that says, “Heya, Howdy, Welcome to Mount Baker National Park” – there is a gorgeous view there. There’s also a delicious stream flowing by the road which was full of green-blue water. We did not stop though, anxious that we were to get started.

The hike itself is brilliant – Artists Point is a ridge between Mount Baker and Mount Shuskan. You see both these in their towering magnificence. The cascades form a stunning backdrop behind you. Baker lake and the Mount Baker wilderness stretches out in front.

I’ll leave the rest of the talking to the pictures:

the view from the road – the road itself is visible if you zoom in – a narrow strip of black tarmac

—-

It’s snowy out there right now

—-

and that is what snowshoes look like – very brilliant thingies – they distribute the weight – so you don’t sink

—-

it is of course perfect conditions for skiing

—-

its a long way

—-

and while it looks beautiful

—

every single step makes you wonder how much farther you have to go

—

its only when you look back you realize how far you’ve come

—

and the last bit is always the hardest …

—

until the moment when you reach the top and are rewarded by a close-up of Mount Baker. Baker is the volcano visible to the North-East from Seattle

—

that is what it looks like from the San Juan islands – Artists point, lets you get up, close and personal

—

there’s another peak visible, far far away in the distance

—

the backdrop here makes even us, with our not-so-in-shape look great (that is Table Mountain)

—

there’s one last stretch to climb

—

and then you are walking along the ridge … at the edge

—

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing, Mount Shuksan

—

with the cascades for the backdrop – the parking lot from where we came is visible in the center

—

and Baker Lake and the Mount Baker wilderness

—

as good a place as any to have Lunch, a subway (yes, I am aware it is a sandwich and I am not dining on the underground)

—

we had some company, sitting on the tree in the middle, shy at first

—

a close up – this is genuine bird-watching

—

and eventually he/she did show up. we provided olives, thinking natural food would be good for it. little did we realize that the olives were drenched in Chipotle sauce

—