Wild GooseRecent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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After hiking Heather-Maple Pass twice, two Sundays in a row (once just before the snow and then again after the...
After hiking Heather-Maple Pass twice, two Sundays in a row (once just before the snow and then again after the foot of new snow fell), and so enjoying the fall colors, we just had to find more red and gold before heavy snow blankets our favorite landscapes.
To find more autumn colors, we headed up to Mount Baker and were not disappointed. Picture Lake was not as colorful as we’ve seen it in years past, but the Wild Goose and Bagley Lakes area had plenty of colorful leaves. Still not tiring of being surrounded by red and gold, we walked the road and foot paths under the ski lifts. The bushes around Picture Lake look like they will continue to turn red for at least another week if it doesn’t snow first. The only trail issue was ice in a few shady areas, potentially treacherous when descending the rocky steps.
Heather Meadows, Wild Goose
— Sep 09, 2011
— Nurse Lynda
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Fall foliage
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail | Bugs | Road to trailhead inaccessible
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We set out on an impromptu hike of Skyline Divide trail but were run off the mountain by BUGS! ...
We set out on an impromptu hike of Skyline Divide trail but were run off the mountain by BUGS! We had no bug repellant with us (poor planning) and just could not tolerate the clouds of mosquitos and biting flies that we encountered in the first 4 switchbacks. We beat a hasty retreat and drove to Heather Meadows (Plan B), hoping to walk the trails at Artist Point.
We arrived to find Healther Meadows (ski area)completely melted out with wildflowers running riot across the meadows. We headed up the final 3 miles of paved road toward Artist Point only to find the gate closed at the first switchback. So...plan C...we parked at the dry paved parking lot near the Austin Pass Picnic Area and the Heather Meadows Visitors Center (built by CCC in 1940). Visit the center 10AM - 4PM Mid-July to late September. From the parking lot, views of Bagley Lakes and Mazama Dome. The bowl below Mazama is still snow-filled, but the gentle slopes invite tubing and sledding - there were a couple of folks with plastic discs sliding down the hill. I'm not sure what they would have done if they would have slid into the large snow-melt pond at the bottom of the hill but the day was hot and sunny and they were having a great time. Pick up the Wild Goose Trail from the parking lot (obvious on the hill to the left of the snow-melt pond). The trail is mostly dry with a couple of exposed snow patches (these will probably be gone in a few more days of warm weather). In a couple of hundred feet you will hit a snowfield that will probably persist into winter (shaded most of the day). Rock scramble/boulder hop up the hill about 30 feet to the (closed) road surface. Basically, you will alternate walking the Wild Goose trail, crossing snow fields and walking the road to Artist Point uphill. (The path is boot-beaten across the snow patches - but very obvious - uphill south/southeast from the parking lot). Look back down at your car and across the valley to Mt. Shuksan. Turn 180 degrees and look across a snow patch at the clear dry Wild Goose Trail (marked with permanent stone carns with metal Canada Goose signs.) Observe the steep stairs that are the final stretch of the trail to the Artist Point parking lot. Then start up, up. At the top of the stairs you are in snow. There is at least 8 feet of snow covering the Artist Point parking lot - the roof of the bathroom is exposed about 3 feet. Stay well back, the snow is melting around the buildings and appeared to be under-mined a bit. Safe snow-wandering about. The snow was firm enough to walk in hiking boots with not much sinking in. Exposed areas of the Artist Point trails are melted out and provide a bit of relief to snow-tired calf muscles. Great views of Baker and back to Shuksan as well as many other peaks (take a good topo map to identify them all.) There was a fair amount of haze in the late afternoon so views to the east of the rest of the North Cascades Range were limited. Return to your car the way you came, but be careful descending the snow fields. Some areas are safe for a short glisade but for the average weekend hiker I'd recommmend taking trekking poles to avoid an unexpected sledding adventure down a hill. The rock scramble is also a bit more difficult on the way down. If you are unsure, walk down the closed road - it looked to be passable for pedestrians - just some easy snow patches to cross. You could access Artist Point this way just as easily. This hike is probably safe (and exciting) for older kids. Probably a bit much for the short-legged crowd until more snow melts. Lots of good views and snow play fun at the parking lot for the little ones. Remember to watch for unsafe snow bridges if you decide to cross the snow fields. All in all a great hike with lots of rewards. (And far less bugs than Skyline) Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Bugs
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A great day for a hike so I decided to pull out my snowshoes and head to Mount Baker where...
A great day for a hike so I decided to pull out my snowshoes and head to Mount Baker where the snow base around Artist Point in the North Cascades is still 20 to 30 feet deep. This is hike 31 of 50 I planned at age 50 this year. Due to late season snow fall in May the road to Artist Point is not going to be open. You can drive up to Austin Pass near the Heather Meadows Visitors Center. I parked there around 8:30am and headed up the Wild Goose Trail with others either Sking, Snowshoeing or just in a good set of boots with hiking poles. The weather was spectacular. The hike took about 1 1/2 hours at most. I believe it is easier to hike the Wild Goose Trail with snow than without it. I hiked the Chain Lakes Trail last year which uses the Wild Goose Trail to get back to Artist Point parking lot. It was grueling hike that day. I would definitely rather do it with snow. You can see there are great views from Artist Point and you don't have to fight for a parking spot like most years when the snow is melted. The parking lot is still buried under 20 to 30 feet of snow as I stated earlier. A nice quiet hike with minimal people at the top. I would recommend you have good hiking boots and hiking canes at least. There is a small area that I consider a little tricky but with your sticks you should be fine. The snow was hard in early morning but quite soft on the way down so footing was pretty good. All and all a great hike with spectacular views. Check out my video of this hike from Artist Point or the 100 other hikes I have of Washington State on my youtube channel at lmm3181 or click on this direct link for this hike. It is safe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmoU7xaRHcM Enjoy your hiking and get out and see this beautiful state. Take Care Mike
Table Mountain, Wild Goose, Chain Lakes
— Sep 16, 2008
— mtnowen
Day hike
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Having seen Table Mtn. during many other hikes, I thought it was about time to go up top and look...
Having seen Table Mtn. during many other hikes, I thought it was about time to go up top and look around. I decided to start from the Austin Pass TH., taking the Wild Goose trail up to Artist Point. The extra distance is worth it to avoid the often zoo like atmosphere of the big parking lot at hikes end. Starting before 8:00 AM, I made it up to Artist Point in about 30 minutes; not a single vehicle came up the highway. The signed Table Mtn. trail begins at the far end of the parking lot. Earlier in the season there is usually a large snow bank obscuring the trail. Head uphill and angle left to find it. The trail to the top is short, but steep and rather exciting, being somewhat exposed with big dropoffs. However this is a solid trail with no real difficulties. Once things leveled out, I took a path to the right leading to a good viewpoint overlooking the Bagley Lks. basin. I continued on the main trail that follows along the south-southeast edge of the plateau. The views are 360 degrees amazing: Baker looms to the south, and as you pan west you see the long sweep of Chowder Ridge and Skyline Divide, and then Church, Bearpaw, High Divide, Tomyhoi, Larrabee, Border, Winchester, Goat, Sefrit, Ruth, Shuksan, the Swift Creek drainage flowing to Baker Lake, Ptarmigan Ridge and the Coleman Pinnacle…not to mention distant peaks in BC, many more Cascade peaks, including Glacier.
I continued on for about 1.5 miles to where the trail ends at a cliff band above a snowfield. Below, I could see an old, unmaintained trail that drops down to the Chain Lks.Trail. I could see no safe way down…perhaps by heading north a bit I might have found a route. If anyone knows the condition of the old trail, please post a comment. While deciding where to go next, I contemplated the myriad of cairns that clutter the plateau. I’ve seen these things on many mountains in many countries. Call me a purist, but I’m not a fan of re-arranging nature to proclaim ones’ being. Folks, if you feel the urge to leave your mark, just pee on a rock or log like other creatures. Thanks. . While retracing my steps, I suddenly recalled hearing of a path that leads down from Table Mtn. to the junction of the Ptarmigan Ridge-Chain Lks. Trails. Right at the base of a steep section, where the trail splits offering a choice of routes, I found a narrow track heading south. Sure enough, after a short distance I could see a well used path just above the junction. The route starts out fine, but soon becomes steep…not scary steep, just difficult steep (at least at my age). By the time I reached the bottom (about a 400’ loss), my knees and quads were seriously questioning the wisdom of this move. Happy to be on easy terrain, I decided to complete the Chain Lks. loop. Although heavily used, this trail makes for a great hike. The lakes are wonderful, and the view from above Iceberg Lk, with Baker in the background is just stunning. The descent from Herman saddle is not bad, offering a variety of scenery. There are some beautiful little mossy rock gardens complete with mimulus, Lewis monkey flower and a few western pasqueflowers. Nearing the end of the trail, just below the visitor center, you even get to cross over the Hobbit bridge. A great day in the mountains!...About 8 miles…4 stars… mtnowen says check it out.
Chain Lakes #682,Wild Goose #684.3
— Aug 13, 2006
— pugethiker
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail | Bugs
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Excellent hike up to the Chain Lakes loop. Started out from Heather Meadows up the Wild Goose trail. Views of...
Excellent hike up to the Chain Lakes loop. Started out from Heather Meadows up the Wild Goose trail. Views of Shuksan were glorious up to Artist point. Passed a couple of small snow patches but was very easy to refind the trail. From the trailhead at Artist Point we had to first navigate a small steep snow patch which was difficult for my partner as she has never had the opportunity to traverse snow in the mountains. After that the trail and views of Baker was glorious. A few snow patches before and after Iceberg Lake made the trail a bit difficult for those that have a problem traversing snow but all in all a great hike with wonderful views. Bewarned though of swarms of flies trying to eat you alive at the lake. |
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