Incredible Sunset Snowshoe to Artist Point

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Incredible Sunset Snowshoe to Artist Point

January 14th 2021

My first snowshoe of the season was the most stunning experience I could have asked for. I've been patiently waiting for the conditions to be just right to do this trail as a snowshoe, and it paid off! The sun was shining, the snow was easy to climb up, and the sunset was the most gorgeous sight I've seen in a while.

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TRAIL REPORT

ALWAYS check https://nwac.us/ for avalanche danger in the area. This area is prone to avalanches and unless you have proper training and gear for handling them, I'd avoid going if there is any risk.

It's a 3 hour drive from Seattle and the parking lot fills up pretty quickly. There was plenty of space mid-week, but if going during the weekend I'd plan to go very early and even prepare a few back-up hikes that are along the drive. I also recommend stopping in Glacier for a final bathroom break and getting breakfast/coffee at Wake'n Bakery.

Find the start of the trail by heading to the bathrooms, to the left is the groomed ski run. From there stay to the right of the ski run (not on it) and go up that way. It's best to have a map since not all tracks in the snow go up to artist point. AllTrails worked well for me.

The way up is pretty steep, so getting proper snowshoes that handle incline is recommended (REI rents out nice ones). I also recommend bringing something to sit on. It's a super short trail and there's so much to see that hanging out at the top for a bit is a nice way to extend the experience!

You can make the trip longer but going up to Huntoon Point. I wanted to, but no one else was and I didn't feel comfortable doing it alone, so it's not covered in this video. The route is on the AllTrails map if you're up for it!

Covid-times advice: You don't have to stick to one path, so this is perfect for keeping distance from others! It's really easy to spread out, but still have a mask for when you are lingering around the parking lot and such.

If going for sunset, having a bright light/headlamp and a map is essential. Navigating down is going to be a lot harder, and there's going to be less/no people to follow. It's super easy to get lost since it's a lot of snowfields that look the same. Only do it if you're comfortable with navigation.

PHOTOS

01 snow trail — Sunny day on Artist Point Trail with sunflare

02 slope — windswept, snow slope that has defined lines sculpted in the snow along the slope

03 snowshoe trail — Snowshoe trail through trees on Artist Point Trail

04 snowshoetrail — Snowy trail for with snowshoe tracks with trees and mountains

05 artist point — Gorgeous day with sun and picturesque clouds on snowy mountain

06 snowshoe — snow-covered Heather Meadows with snowshoers in the distance

07 heather meadows — Sunflare between trees at Heather Meadows

08 heather meadows — Heather Meadows visitor center half covered in snow

09 mountain — Mountain covered in snow, seen from Heather Meadows

10 snowshoe — snowy mountain with snowshoers

11 mountains — Mountains with snowshoers in Heather Meadows

12 ski slope — Skiers and snowboarders going down the Mt Baker Ski run

13 group — Jamie Pilgrim with dogs in front of snowy mountains

14 snowshoe dogs — Jamie Pilgrim snowshoeing with dogs at Artist Point

15 group — Jamie Pilgrim posed with dogs while snowshoeing Artist Point

17 peak — snowy peak in the North Cascades

18 mountain — snow peaks in the North Cascades

19 trail — Snowfields to get to artis point snowshoe

20 snowshoers — snowy slope up to artist point with snowshoers at the top

21 mountains — snowy mountains in the north cascades while snowshoeing

22 snowy slope — Snowfield at artist point with north cascades in background

23 snowfield — snowfield with mounds sculpted by wind with defined lines

24 snowshoeing — Jamie Pilgrim snowshoeing with dogs at Artist Point

25 snowfield — Snowfield at Artist Point with mounds sculpted by the wind with defined lines

26 huntoon point trail — snowshoe trail up to huntoon point from artist point

27 break — Jamie Pilgrim taking a break from snowshoeing with a Rainier

28 rainier break — Jamie PIlgrim taking a break from snowshoeing with a Rainier beer

29 peaks — North Cascade peaks during sunset

31 sunset peaks — North Cascades alpenglow during sunset

32 sunset trail — Sunset colors in the sky over artist point snowshoe trail

33 sunset colors — vibrant sunset colors in the sky with clouds over the North Cascades Mountain peaks

34 sunset mountains — Sunset at heather meadows

35 sunset trail — Artist Point snowshoe trail during sunset

36 sunset sky — Sunset over the North Cascades with cotton candy colored clouds

Memoirs of a Pilgrim

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