The autumn colors are amazing right now! 🍁🍂🍁🍂This area has a lot of huckleberry and blueberry bushes that are brilliant red right now. It's a autumn wonderland! This is a really nice short trail, but has has stunning views. The colors are fabulous. The day was nice and sunny, but certainly could feel the fall breeze. It was about 46° in the afternoon.

My friends and I planned on going to the ADA portion of Artist Ridge. While we were there, we asked a ranger about other ADA trails in the area. He explained that the first half of Fire and Ice was paved and would be wheelchair accessible. It was a bit steeper that other trails, but it wasn't bad at all anyway wheelchair or stroller could make it. It was a simple trail with some incredible views (and that was just the paved part of it). The pictures can say more about the beauty of it than anything I can write, so I'll let them do the talking.

Nice walk until the trail disappeared under snow. It was easy to find trail and the scenery was stunning.

ARTIST RIDGE - HUNTOON POINT: Excellent condition. For as many visitors as this trail sees, the litter was very minimal. Lots of "Meadow Repair" signs, yet that still doesn't stop some knuckleheads. Great trail for people of all abilities. BAGLEY LAKES LOOP: Great trail for families! This loop is begun from Heather Meadows Visitor Center. The side closest to the visitor center is very smooth and easy walking. The far side is a bit more technical, roots and rocks with several small streams to cross. A little muddy, too. Amazing views of Table Mountain and the Bagley Lakes. Crossing the arched stone bridge at one end and a very old dam at the other would be fun for kiddos...just hang on the the little hands! Fall colors are amazing; obvious bear sign in the area, but only birds actually seen. PICTURE LAKE: Paved ADA accessible loop around the perfectly placed Picture Lake with its amazing view of Mount Shuksan. Lots of benches to sit and gaze in wonder at the beauty. FIRE AND ICE: A short, easy "Interpretive" trail however there was not a single sign that provided any information (I was bummed); not even a trailhead sign. Perhaps they are removed for the winter? Lots of stone and metal things that look as though they would hold a sign. Also leaves from the visitor center. Nice little loop for kids. Great view of Table Mountain and the Wild Goose trail. WILD GOOSE: This end-to-end hike goes from the Artist Point parking area to the Heather Meadows Visitor Center. It is in great shape, and if you hike it regularly, you will be in great shape too! It's about 1,100' of elevation gain or loss, depending on where you park. I parked at the top and hiked down, did Fire and Ice, then hiked back up again. As I descended, I was watching the dark clouds moving in, but the weather remained great. The trail is in good condition and marked by permanent stone cairns with a flying goose plaque on them. It took me a minute to figure out what it was, DUH! There is part of the trail that is made up of approximately 150 steps. I will just say that with wear and tear and weather, they are a BIG step up for someone just over 5 feet tall! Halfway down there is a side trail that will lead to the Swift Creek (600) and Lake Ann (607) trails. I'll save those for another day..... Had my dog with me so I could not hike Table Mountain as dogs are prohibited on that trail. Next time. Summary: Wonderful day of hiking; amazed at the number of people up there. Chatted with a few; everyone pleasant even if they didn't heed the "Meadow Repair" signs. Would love to see signage at the Fire and Ice trail. The privy at the top.....DISGUSTING, I'd rather pee outside. I think some people interpret the "Don't throw trash into the toilets, it is very difficult to remove" signs to include toilet paper. A trash can in the bathroom may help.

Trail Conditions: Overall, the Ptarmigan Ridge trail is in great shape. All along the trail there are sections of loose rocks, so careful footing is required. Those dry, rocky sections can be somewhat "slippery," especially going downhill. There are several snow patches to cross, but all have a clear bootpath through them so route-finding is not a problem. With today's weather, the snow was still firm enough that I didn't punch through, but soft enough that I could create steps to go either up or down. After crossing over the first ridge and dropping back down, there is one section of the trail that goes through a section of dark gray rocks where it can be a little challenging to see the trail. When you get to this spot, climb uphill and to the left through the rocks and you'll see a short snowpatch with a bootpath through it. Flora and Fauna: Wildflowers are past their peak, but a few are still blooming higher up. There are a few ripe berries, but not an abundant source. As far as wildlife, I saw some pika in the rocks, a family of ptarmigan, and a herd of 15-20 mountain goats. Views: Heading in, there are clear views of Mt. Baker for a good portion of the way. While heading out, there are clear views of Mt. Shuksan for a good portion of the way. While those two peaks dominate the skyline, many others line the horizon as well. Artist Ridge, Fire and Ice, and Picture Lake Trails: All of these short trails on the Mt. Baker Highway in the Artist Point/Heather Meadows area are in great shape.

Table Mountain from Artist Point 9/8/06 ------------------------------------------ First you drive to the very end of the Mt. Baker hiway at Artists Point. The views of rugged alpine scenery from this 5000 ft. parking lot are as good or better than 80% of northwest trails offer at their scenic high points. But a short steep hike will lead you to even grander views. I had been up Table Mtn before on a misty cloudy day when I was running out of daylight. This time I had more hours and mostly sunshine. It was just as good as advertised ! The obvious scenic stars are Mt. Baker to the West, and Mt. Shuksan to the east, the two tallest peaks of the north cascades. The top of Table Mtn is a plateau so it's easy to wander around in all directions once you get to the top. It's an area of rock and snow with just a bit of vegetation on the south and west edges. Very small trees flowers and tasty blueberries (Sept. is the berry time here). The trail avoids the snow but it's fun to kick a little snow in Sept. On the west end of the plateau is a superb view point looking at Baker and the lower ridges, snowfields, and glaciers that surround it. From this end I could also see some of the Chain Lakes, some ponds on a section of Table Mtn slightly below, and the big northern snowfield on Table Mtn, also below. After returning to my car I ate dinner and then went out on the little Fire and Ice trail for the sunset views. This path goes east from the parking lot about 1/2 mile to Huntoon Point. Mt. Shuksan changed colors and was reflected in several little ponds as the sun went down. Very scenic indeed. Statistics: 4 miles total, 600 ft. gain high point 5700 ft. visibility 20 miles max temp. on Table Mtn 70 deg. berries to eat millions 155 miles from my north Seattle home. Robert Michelson