Got to the Bagley Lake parking lot just after sunrise and there were plenty of parking spots in the lot and close by, but it was pretty much full when I left a few hours later. The trail starts out to the left of the vault toilets by the entrance to the lot. There is a sign at the start of the trail/road that says to avoid walking over the groomed sections of the road if you're hiking or wearing snowshoes to keep it smooth for skiers and snowboarders. I don't have snowshoes so I headed up with spikes on my boots and the first mile and a half were pretty well packed. I turned around about a half mile from artist's point because I was postholing past my knees. On the way back down they had just groomed the road up until the backcountry entrance sign. I walked on the side of the groomed section of road the best I could but was postholing pretty deep again. Luckily there is a trail that is pretty well packed just parallel to the road once you get to the Heather Meadows Visitor Center that a lot of people have been using for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Definitely would have been a lot easier with snowshoes but it was still a fun little hike!

Gorgeous sunny day for a hike. Got hot pretty quickly and despite the entire trail being snow-covered, the 4 in the group started taking layers off quickly. Could not have done this without snowshoes, or rather it would not have been any fun without them. Snow is decently packed for the first bit and then it gets soft especially as the day goes on. Views at the top were gorgeous and worth the trek, about a 4 mile round trip to Artist Point alone from the Mt Baker Ski Area parking lot, which is as far as you drive up.

Hiked to Huntoon Point with Mountaineers practicing ice axe arrest. Beautiful sunny weekend and very few people considering how splendid it was.  This is just to point out that you need snowshoes. Snow was very soft and lots of post holing. 

Arrived around 10:30am on a sunny Thursday to the parking lot that only had a handful of cars.

I started out wearing just my boots and holding my snowshoes as I wasn’t sure what was needed. The snow was getting soft and I was slipping around so decided to put on my snowshoes which gave more traction and I was able to move quicker. Depending on the route you take there are parts that are groomed which is helpful if you go without snowshoes.

There was only a few people up at Artist and Huntoon point. Had a nice view to myself for a snack before heading down. More people were starting to come up as I got closer to the parking lot.

There was barely any wind and the sun was in full force. Sunglasses were definitely needed as well as sunscreen.

Bathrooms were open but not stocked so bring your own TP.

The road to the parking lot is dry and clear. The temperature at the parking lot was 33F when I left the car in the dark under the stars at 4:55am. I followed the heavily tracked snow-buried road to the top with snowshoes the entire way. The snow is icy, hard packed and easy going with traction. Sunrise from Huntoon Point was spectacular as usual. The ski lifts are closed until Friday and the weekend (their last, I think). I did not see anyone else until about 8:00am on my descent. A waning gibbous Moon was often visible along the western horizon. This month is the Major Lunar Standstill where the Moon reaches its highest declinations above and below the Earth’s equator since June 2006 which will now start decreasing until reaching the next Minor Lunar Standstill (where its declinations above and below the Earth’s equator are about ten degrees less) in March 2035.