SNOW, SNOW, SNOW! The day prior we spoke with a Ranger about hiking Park Butte but they informed us that it was covered in snow but suggested Heather Meadows area trails were clear to hike and gave us maps of the area. We headed up the Mt. Baker Hwy to Heather Meadows but were stopped short at the second Mt. Baker Ski area as the road was closed up to Artist Point parking lot. We spoke with the Ranger at the gate and he informed us that is in fact very MUCH covered in snow and would need to have previous knowledge of the trail and have snow hiking gear to be able to safely navigate the loop.
Since we drove all the way up there we decided to walk the road up to Artist Point. The road was clear and it took about an hour and a half to walk up there (with stops for photos and taking int he view). It was incline all the way to the top. Once you get to the top, it is only the Artist Point parking lot and it is surrounded by 25-40 foot tall snow banks that they have plowed. There are two spots where you can walk in the snow and grab some views of the surrounding mountains and Mt. Baker. The privy at Artist Point was covered in snow and was not accessible when we were there.
Wish we could have taken the trail but it was still a nice walk! We will come back in August when the snow is gone. :)
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