Was going to drive to the road end at Heather Meadows, and take some pics Saturday afternoon, before hitting Heliatrope Ridge Sunday morning. But the road was closed at the Bagley Lakes trail head, so I hikead a while on this exceptional trail. No snow the first mile or so; but that's as far as I went. The rain started, so I turned around. All the surrounding peaks are still snow covered. The first lake is partly thawed. Very little mud on the trail. Great place to take photos!

Sally and I headed up to the Mountaineers's Baker Lodge Monday morning Dec. 27th for some fun in the snow. The weather looked good when we arrived about noon. After some hot soup at the lodge we headed out for an afternoon of snowshoeing in the Bagley Lakes area and did a nice loop route. On Tuesday the 28th after breakfast we headed up to Artist Point to get some great views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan and many other peaks on a crystal clear day with not one cloud in sight. A lot less snow then at this time last year. Baker Lake far below was fogged over. With the good weather there were many back county skiers, snowboarders and other snowshoers up at Artist Point. The temp in the afternoon got up to 45 degrees. One group of snowboarders had constructed a snow ramp to do some flips in the air. After some photo taking and eatting lunch, we snowshoed back down to the Baker Ski area and the lodge. Wednesday morning the 29th, the weather had changed, and it was snowing and 33 degrees. We had two beautiful days in the mountains.

After checking at the Ranger Station after reading about the Hwy 542 being closed for the season past the Terminal Lake Mt. Baker ski lodge, and being told the unseasonable warm that accompanied the recent big rain storm melted all the snow that had fallen the previous week (snow level ~ 6,000 ft), we decided to risk the potential for more serious storms and hike the Goose Trail to Artist Point. After parking at the nearly completely empty upper lot (turn right at the road closed gate), we decided to hike the Goose Trail rather than walk up the 4 miles of closed road. Even though the trail considerably shorten the hike, and we had to put up with high gust of winds of around 35-40 mph and the presence of worrisome overcast gray skies, it was absolutely worth it as we were treated to a rare and spectacular mix of lingering fall colors punctuating the grays of the winter settling on the surrounding mountains and hills. As for those winds, they were chilling and strong enough to make hiking headlong into them tiring, but there were enough wind breaks sufficiently spaced throughout the entire trail to recover. In fact, it was so warm we both ended up peeling off a couple of layers to avoid getting overheated in the sheltered areas. On the trail were some stubborn patches of snow that didn’t melt, but none big enough to obscure the trail or deep enough to need snow gear. That is, until we got to Artist Ridge. There the snow on the parking lot was sort of a slushy ice and actually presented the biggest danger for slipping - it was very easy to overlook the ice against the pavement of the same gray color. After enjoying the terrific vista of Mt. Baker ans surrounding peaks, we were disappointed to find that while we could clearly see the trail along the base of Table Mountain, the trailhead was all but impossible to safely find, as there were no telltale tracks from any intrepid snow shoed hikers yet. So sadly we had little choice but to turn around and head back down. Back at the parking lot, we initially turned to go down the Bagley Lake trail, but the weather looked as it was going to stop cooperating, so we reluctantly headed for home. As it turned out, the rain never did come until much later that night although the wind blew continuously the entire time. As far as hikes go, this was one of our shortest in both distance and time, but it was definitely one of the most memorable. I know that I not only took more pictures on this hike than any of the others before, but they are also much different than any of the others with the grays and muted whites, sharply contrasted with vivid reds, yellows, and greens. If the warm spell continues, try to get up there before the winter snows come back for good. Even if you still ahve to fight the winds, you won’t be sorry.

this is an average hike--moderately strenuous--with one crux. the trail to the key fork is well marked. at the fork, there is a sign to thornton lakes to the left, and a trail without a sign that goes up the mountain toward a prominent triangular rock maybe 10 ft hi off the trail. once you reach the ridge, you will see the overlook of the three thornton lakes on the left, and then the pickets on the right of trapper peak. the crux comes at the end of the ridge to the side of trapper peak. there is a ""knife edge"" with exposure on both sides, and no apparent trail on the other side. the rock is solid. since i was alone, i chose not to risk crossing the short crux that was mayb 200-250 feet from the summit. on the way back down, i met a fellow conducting a survey of the fishermen at the lakes, who had done the route to the top. he explained that there was a clear trail ""on the other side of the tree"", and was easy to hike to the top. on the other hand, turning around at the knife edge was a good decision, since you see 98% of the views by then.

Hike begins from upper parking lot of Mt Baker Ski Area. A quick descent into the Bagley Creek ravine, and the world was transformed. Pools and slow moving water - all frozen, but not yet snow covered. Shining glass surfaces, some so thin black and silver water could be seen below. A first year American Dipper fed on a tilted shelf of fast flowing water. Gently ascending beside steepening andosite columns, miniature frozen waterfalls clung to the rock at eye level. At Upper Bagley Lake - a world of white. The lake frozen and smooth as polished stone. Silence. Upon departure a Northern Pygmy Owl appeared and checked me out with much curiosity. Only the second I have ever seen!! Trail conditions: snow covered, but easy travel, with care.