Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Artist Point Snowshoe
Featured In:
Snowshoe Routes - Washington,
by Dan A. Nelson.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. To start the trip, leave the south (upper) end of the ski area parking lot and edge along the flank of the downhill area along the access road leading to Austin Pass, or choose the steeper, straight-up route followed by the summer hiking trail. Just past the ski runs, the route turns upward and you begin a long, steady climb to the pass. Stay off to the right of the road to avoid cross-country skiers who are heading for the deep, backcountry bowls beyond Artist Point. The track covers 500 feet of elevation gain from the parking area to 4700-foot Austin Pass, but that gain is easily accomplished on snowshoes--it's the side-stepping cross-country skiers who will be sweating this section. From Austin Pass, the road sweeps out to the left in a long switchback. Keep right, and climb the open meadows ahead to cut across the neck of this loop, rejoining the road in a few hundred yards at the road end at the lower end of Kulshan Ridge, just past the 2-mile mark. A final 0.25 mile of hiking to the left along this ridge gets you to the impossibly beautiful views at Artist Point. Soak in the views of Mount Shuksan to the east, Mount Baker to the west, and to the southwest Coleman Pinnacle towers seemingly just beyond reach. Backcountry telemark skiers are often seen playing in the steep, deep snow bowls along Ptarmigan Ridge, which stretches between Artist Point and Coleman Pinnacle. This ridge is filled with dangerous avalanche chutes, so before deciding to trek out along it, be sure of the current avalanche conditions. A better option for an extended trek from Artist Point is to the left (east) along the more stable snow of Kulshan Ridge. A half mile of hiking along the deep snow on the ridge crest leads to Huntoon Point, a high knob on the upper end of Kulshan. From this lofty observation point, look out over the expanse of the Mount Baker Wilderness to the west and south, the North Cascades National Park (which encompasses Mount Shuksan) to the east, and the ragged line of Shuksan Arm----reaching out from Shuksan--to the north. Authors Rating: More difficult. Some previous snowshoe experience helpful. Some winter survival skills recommended (basic knowledge of avalanche evaluation, emergency shelter construction, etc.). Elevation gain is usually less than 1000 feet with a gradual slope.
Driving Directions:
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. Recent Trip Reports
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Artist Point Snowshoe
— Feb 05, 2012
— hermajesty
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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We were looking forward to the Artist Point snowshoe after reading many glowing trip reports. We stopped at the Glacier...
We were looking forward to the Artist Point snowshoe after reading many glowing trip reports. We stopped at the Glacier Public Service Center to get information on the current trail conditions. The ranger advised us not to go to Artist Point as it was a dangerous area that required advanced backcountry skills. She said we should not go there if we had never been before, and that she could not prevent us from going but discouraged us from trying. Yikes!!! This contradicted all the trip reports that I had read, which described the Artist Point snowshoe as pretty straightforward and safe in good conditions. Since the weather was clear and the NWAC avalanche forecast was low/moderate, we decided to go ahead with our original plan, but gave ourselves permission to turn around if we got spooked. For added peace of mind, we rented avalanche gear at the Glacier Ski Shop. This store rents a pack containing avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel for $25. The very friendly and helpful guy at the store gave us a tutorial on how to use the transceiver and said the Artist Point hike is usually fine--he was surprised the ranger told us not to go. As indicated in snow Cat's previous report, the trail starts at the Blueberry Cat trail at the far end of the parking lot. Also as in the previous report, there were a number of dog turds along the beginning of the trail. By the way, the route is bleeding obvious. With no recent snowfall, there were many tracks going in slightly different directions but all leading to the same place. There were dozens of snowshoers and backcountry skiers out, all headed in the same general direction. We skirted the marked ski area boundary, heading uphill past skiers and snowboarders zooming down the snow-covered road. At Austin Pass, where Mt Shuksan comes into full view, we followed the tracks as they swung left. This route passes along a slope that I would not walk under in unfavorable avalanche conditions. Instead, I'd do the steep climb up to the top of the ridge and continue from there, as we saw a couple of people struggling to do (it is really steep). From there, the trail heads to the right and up again, to the amazing Artist Point. Boy, am I glad that we didn't listen to the ranger! We would have missed out on an amazing day. I'm guessing that the Forest Service will attempt to discourage snowshoeing outside of groomed routes for liability reasons. I don't want to minimize the risks of snowshoeing--I wouldn't attempt this hike in bad weather or with a bad avalanche forecast. As I said above, there is one slope that merits caution depending on the snow conditions. There were a few skiers down in the basin below Table Mountain, which looked a bit too avalanchey for my comfort zone. And always carry the 10 Essentials! But in good conditions, and sticking to the trail as in the hike description, this is a safe and spectacular snowshoe. Day hike
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From the far end of the upper ski parking lot, we started up along the edge of the "Blueberry Cat...
From the far end of the upper ski parking lot, we started up along the edge of the "Blueberry Cat track." Unfortunately, the first several hundred yards are liberally lined in dog excrement, but few people were out yet and the snow was superb.
In and out of fog and blowing snow, we did get a few brief and partial glimpses of the impressive peaks and icefalls and deadly snow chutes surrounding us, as well as Warren Miller-film-worthy stunts being performed thereon. Mt. Baker definitely has some of the wildest terrain Washington has to offer. Day hike
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Our smalll group began at the parking lot near the ski area headed toward Artist Point and the Kulshan Ridge...
Our smalll group began at the parking lot near the ski area headed toward Artist Point and the Kulshan Ridge in blowing snow and diminishig visibility. The temperature was in the mid to high twenties but the chill factor was below that. Our route was a general southern heading as much of the terrain was difficult to read but we did follow the road occasionally, hikes along the side of a snowboarding area and went cross country most of the time.
The flat lighting and blowing snow turned us back at some point and we retreated to the west side of a group of trees for shelter during lunch. The descent was made by generally following landmarks as our snowshoe prints were coverd up by snow. The road up was in good condition thanks to plowing but there is snow on the road at higher elevations and slick. Snowshoe/XC Ski
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It is hard to describe the “wow” factor of this snowshoe. It was a beautiful day to be up...
It is hard to describe the “wow” factor of this snowshoe. It was a beautiful day to be up in the mountains and you just don’t get much more up in the mounains than outside of the Mount Baker ski area. There were lots of people headed into the back country towards Artist’s Point and Table Mountain. Despite the wta snowshoe hike description, we were uncertain most of the way of where we were going, checking our bearings and mostly following other tracks hoping for the best. But it just wasn’t as complicated as we tried to make it. There were lots of backcountry skiers and snowshoers headed out, lots of tracks to choose from and all essentially heading in the same direction.
All along the way, Mt. Shuksan looms above to your left, you can see much smaller Table Mountain over to the right, and too many peaks to the name encircle behind you to the North. The “wow” comes when you get to the top of the ridge and Mt. Baker reveals itself on the other side. Look down and there are clouds, lakes and the valley below. The day could not have been much better. A little hazy in the morning, sun peaking and finally breaking through as we climbed. The snow was fabulous. You could walk in the path of others or take off on your own course through fabulous powder. Our first snowshoe of the season and a great way to kick off the season. Thank you to geezerhiker for the trip report that inspired this trek! Day hike
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This is a great snowshoe hike that I do every year about this time. The snow and weather usually...
This is a great snowshoe hike that I do every year about this time. The snow and weather usually cooperate, and the avalanche danger is low.
Talk about powder. I sunk to my knees wearing snowshoes when I reached the top. The views were worth the effort, however. I met one snowshoeing photographer on my way up. My tracks were only the second set on the Artist Point trail. I met eight people on the way down: four snowshoeing, and four skiing. One was from Alaska and liked Mt. Baker very much. A perfect hike occurs when you are in the right place at the right time. Today's hike was perfect. |
Artist Point by Snowshoe/XC Ski. Photo by NobleHikers.
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