Nice combo of firm snow with a little powder making for nice snowshoe conditions. Unique opportunity to hit the snow covered trail before the ski area opens and with minimal avalanche risk. Because the ski resort and lifts aren't open yet the entire place is open to snowshoes, hikers, and backcountry ski/snowboards as a bit of a free for all, which is a little messy but fun and means more parking than usual. Today the road was compact and safe enough for hikers to walk right up as far as the upper Artist point parking lot which I have never seen before and there was some cool ice along the road. You def need a map up here because blindly following tracks can easily get you in trouble. We saw a few people follow skiers up some danger slopes. We went up to Huntoon Point and it was stunning up there. The non road trail is steep in areas and not a beginner trail.
Road/Parking: Parking is at the ski resort and there is a pit toilet. The road up there is steep and winding with a touch of ice in some plates. You need to carry snow tire chains now through spring to drive up here.
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