Artist Point Snowshoe — Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023

The road past the snow plough sheds was sanded to the lot and not very slick. I have gone up to Artist Point and Huntoon Point in winter about 20 times since I moved into the area and the pre-dawn through sunrise sights were as usual, unbeatable. The temperature at 6:30 AM in the lot was 31F. Even on the way back, at 10:00 AM, there was almost no one else on the route. (Possibly due to ski area being closed until Wednesday for season pass holders and Thursday to everyone else.) The route was already blazed and easy going over the icy crusted snow all the way to Huntoon point. Off route, the icy covered powder is easily punched through, even with snowshoes on. The snow pack seemed light to me for mid-December – bare ground was seen at one location halfway up and the road closure gate at the parking lot is barely half covered. The ski area grooming has even lifted up some vegetation and dirt on the Blueberry Cat Track.