Fun and beautiful day on Artist Point with my girlfriend. Shuksan and Baker were astounding! Snow was pretty firm most of the day so we mostly booted around and up to Huntoon Point. Highly recommended!

The road was snow free to the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. Between near the White Salmon Lodge and Heather Meadows there are a number of sections of the road which were riddled with dips. The temperature at 5:45 AM in the parking lot was 31F with a very light breeze. Approaching Artist Point and along the ridge to Huntoon Point was wind free. The snowshoe route the whole way to Huntoon was on a thick icy crust of snow and very, very easy going. My snowshoes never sank in anywhere, though they were totally needed for safe traction. 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.

Absolutely spectacular snowshoe adventure today. Like mentioned in other trail reports, the trail starts just to the left of the bathrooms in the large parking lot. We got there at 11am today (a friday), and the parking lot was surprisingly empty. None of us had ever been here in the snow, so it was hard to recognize landmarks on the ground that are can’t-miss in the summer. Thus, not knowing where Artist Point is, we just climbed to a big hump on the mountain which actually ended up being Table Mountain. Nevertheless, it was a very fun time and there were plenty of other snowshoers/skiers out. And I can’t forget the mention the crazy views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker. Being a ginger, I did get sunburned, so don’t forget to pack sunscreen for any of my pale friends. Overall one of the coolest showshoes/hikes I’ve done and I’d definitely recommend it.

I got the opportunity to go snow camping at Artist Point for a couple nights with a wonderful group of adventurers!  The weather was perfect and I got to practice my snow camping techniques including blue bagging!  Blech!  And Woot!  Now I feel “Official” haha!  I was so thankful to snag a ride with two wonderful gal as our driver had snagged an overnight parking permit and so great company was to be had on the long drive.  We met up with the rest of the group and had 9 people total ready to brave the snow and headed up around 5pm.  The walk up to Artist Point was pretty smooth going with some good laughs along the way!  Once we arrived, it was straight to work digging and stomping down to the snow for out tent platforms.  UL snow shovels are a beautiful thing!  I was able to build the start of a wind wall before dusk set in, ate dinner, drank some hot chocolate, and turned in for the night. 

The next morning dawned bright and stunning!  Wow!  I was Super happy with my sleep set-up and had had a peaceful snug night.  As a group we then started building our group kitchen area complete with table and enough room for everyone to sit and hang out.  Sadly one gal in our party wasn’t feeling well, so we all chipped in to get her packed up and I walked her back down to the cars.  That evening we made a little jaunt up to Huntoon Point for Sunset and some glissading!  So beautiful!!  Then we ate dinner together and watched the stars appear before the cold sent me into my wonderful sleeping bag. 

Sunday morning was no nonsense eating, packing up, putting the snow back the way it was, and returning to the cars.  What an amazing experience!  I was super pleased with my winter set-up and only need to maybe switch out my stove to a more efficient one for melting snow. . . .hmmm. . . . Good Times, and a great Trip!  On the drive out, we stopped at the Waken Bakery for some goodies. 

Relatively fresh snow.  Clear weather forecast.  Moderate avalanche danger.  Longer March days.  Done.

This is a report on an overnight trip to Artist Point - arrive Friday 17th, leave Saturday 18th.

Road is in good condition.  The snowshoe "trail" to Artist Point is pretty easy to find and stay on, though there are some spots where it can be a bit narrow.  I arrived at Artist Point in the late morning, set up camp, and explored for compositions.  Took a 20 minute nap, then an early dinner, then out for sunset photography.  This was during the "warm spell" so the daytime temperature was around 35F and nighttime low was high 20s F - very manageable if you are prepared.  Interestingly at the end of the day there were at least 10 tents up in the area.

Woke up at 6 to get ready and walk towards Huntoon point for sunrise.  High clouds made Mt Shuksan positively glow.  Back to camp by 8, then a hot breakfast, break up camp, and left at 9.30.  As this was Saturday morning, there was a horde of people coming up the trail but everyone was in great spirits - wonderful day to be outside.