Despite the number of people it didn't feel too crowded. There were a couple narrow spots on the trail going up where we, on snowshoes, were up against the ski trail and had to negotiate people grimly coming down the trail in what looked like tennis shoes but with such a short trail we didn't worry much about their well-being - but they sure looked unhappy. We, however, had a great time. Snow conditions were excellent, if a little packed and slippery from all the people sliding. Some folks pitched camp right on the trail *sigh*. Remember even in snow conditions extensive off trail tromping causes damage.

Expect spring like snow on this route up to Artist
Point. It was a balmy 49 degrees at Heather Meadows this morning. No snow anywhere on the highway until you reach the ski area. Beautiful morning out with stellar scenery.

We arrived at the ski parking area around 11:30am, on opening weekend. The parking lot by the trailhead was about half full and there was zero snow on the road and parking lot, bare and dry cement pavement only. We immediately needed snowshoes on the trail because you would step into deep snow otherwise. The trail was easy to find, and many options were available, but as it neared the ski slopes, the crusty snow we were on was difficult to climb because we were walking on a sideways incline, as well as up. Had the snow been softer, a trail would have been flattened enough, and we would not have been slipping and sliding down to our right. I'm not sure how far we actually went, but my 11 yo son gave up at some point. Coming down that slick sideways incline was not fun. It was warm and we didn't need our gloves.

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.

An overnight into the wilderness this time of year is "not" an ultra-light" backpacking trip, especially when solo. I had a 60lb pack that included 4L of water. I will not go into the details of gear I had. I will share that I was traveling via snow shoes and made the trip on and off the main road leading up to Huntoon/Artist Point. I saw many skiers and boarders along the way, and only one other overnighter.

The elevation is approx 5000' and I did experience some elevation exhaustion, I normally live at sea level. Make sure to research proper elevation breathing, and don't think twice about turning back if you do not have the proper gear to survive alone at least a couple hours "before" sunset.