Artist Point
Updated: Sep 7, 2023
North Cascades, Washington, 2023
THAT. VIEW.
I've heard people talk about it; I've browsed the pictures on social media... but dang! Take my breath away! I now understand why Artist Point is the top contender for best viewpoint in the state!
This is a snowshoe adventure that has been on my radar since I fell in love with snowshoeing back in 2020, but life and weather delayed my initial ascent (and the 6-hour roundtrip drive). I was ecstatic to cross this off my list in January 2023, and could not have asked for a better day! We were treated to stunning 360-degree views of the Northern Cascades, including Mount Shasta, Mount Baker, American Border Peak, Mount Larrabee, and Goat Mountain. It was such a clear day that we took a moment to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and bask in the beauty of the Cascades, the valley of Baker Lake, and distant peaks (Whitehorse Mountain, Three Fingers, and Sloan Peak).
TRAIL DEETS
Artist Point is accessible year-round; however, the route to the top varies depending on the season and weather conditions. If you're familiar with the great Pacific Northwest, aka PNW, we don't always have all 4 seasons. With that knowledge in hand, the best way to determine which Artist Point route to take depends on Mount Baker Highway. During the winter months (typically November to June), Mount Baker Highway is only plowed to the ski area at Heather Meadows (Picture Lake). If you are planning to venture up to Artist Point during these months, I highly recommend that you get to the trailhead early! This is a super popular destination and parking for the trailhead is also the overflow parking lot for the ski area. Once you have parked, the Artist Point trailhead can be found to the left of the restrooms at the south end of the overflow parking lot.
Darcy Wanders' Route
We were suited up and on the trail by 8:45 am. I downloaded the navigation for Upper Lodge to Artist Point Trail from AllTrails, but did not need to use the navigation - there was already a visible track to follow. I still used AllTrails to track our route details and concluded our adventure just shy of 4 miles with approximately 1000 feet of elevation gained. The trailhead starts at approximately 4200 feet, with our highest elevation reached at 5,318 feet.
AllTrails rates this as a moderate route, but it could easily be completed by a beginner snowshoer due to trail popularity and the resulting packed-down track. There are several steeper sections that could be challenging in fresh/deep snow conditions. I was definitely thankful for the heel lifts attached to my snowshoes in these sections!
There was some traffic on the trail during our climb up to Artist Point, but I was not prepared for the volume of people who were climbing up as we were coming down. There were several sections that had contained a single track on our climb up, but now contained multiple tracks and lines of people waiting. We saw both backcountry skiers and fellow snowshoers. Had we started later in the day, we could have easily conquered this trail in our microspikes. Check out my reel on trail traffic here!
Good news for our wanderers who want the view, but not necessarily the workout: you can drive all the way to the Artist Point parking area when Mount Baker Highway is accessible (typically from July until late September). From there, it is a short walk to the Artist Point viewing area. During these summer and early fall months, there are a number of hiking trails that pass through Artist Point, including Chain Lakes Loop Trail, which happens to be on my TW list!
AVALANCHE RISK
Due to its northern location and elevation, Artist Point generally gets a ton of snow. I was actually shocked to learn that it holds the world record amount of snowfall within a season at 95 feet (and I thought Washington snow was inferior to Colorado snow)!
The route to Artist Point does go through avalanche terrain. But what is avalanche terrain? msrgear.com defines avalanche terrain as "a place, on or near a mountain slope, where avalanches are able to occur under the right circumstances. Simply put, it's terrain that's steep enough for snow to slide." Avalanches can be triggered on 30-degree slopes and greater. You can learn more about avalanche basics, terminology, and sign-up for courses at avalanche.org.
You should always check the avalanche forecast before heading into the mountains during the winter and spring months. The forecast for Artist Point is provided by the Northwest Avalanche Center (nwac.us) and is updated every night at 6 pm for the following day. The forecast gives you an idea of what the current danger is, the weather, the snowpack, and the potential avalanche size. An avalanche danger scale rating of 2 (moderate) or greater is a dangerous rating, with the most fatalities occurring at a rating of 3 (considerable).
If you took the time to read my quick about me section, then you know I don't take unnecessary risks. I only venture into the snowy mountains when the avalanche rating is 1 (low), or if I am wandering with a wander buddy who has avalanche training and is experienced with route finding and reading snow conditions.
GETTING THERE
The easiest way to get to the Artist Point Snowshoe trailhead is to use the navigation system of your choice with your destination set as Deming, Washington. Once you arrive at the ski area, continue to drive around Picture Lake and past the ski lifts (this is a one-way road and they did have a decent amount of signs when we were up there). You will be looking for the large, overflow parking lot that is located on the right at the end of the road. If you set your navigation as Deming, Washington, then you will end in the correct parking lot.
Not Tech Savvy? No Problem! Take I-5 to Bellingham, Washington. Take exit 255 for WA-542 E (Mount Baker Highway) and head east. You'll stay on WA-542 E until the road ends and you see the overflow parking lot on the right.
TO WANDER, OR NOT TO WANDER
As the top contender for the best view in the state, this is a must-do! Whether you decide to tackle the snowshoe hike or wait until the road to the Artist Point parking lot is open, you will not be disappointed!
I am already eagerly awaiting/planning my return trip!
MAKE IT GREAT (TIPS, TRICKS, & GEAR)
Check the Weather Forecast. Get the most out of your trip with the best view by checking the weather forecast before you go! You'll want to plan your trip for a day that is both clear and has a high visibility distance. Unfortunately, we do have clear days with low visibility due to various reasons such as haze or smoke from surrounding forest fires. Check today's weather forecast for Artist Point here!
Pick the Right Snowshoes. There are 3 basic categories for snowshoes: flat terrain, rolling terrain, and mountain terrain. If you are going to invest in a pair of snowshoes, then I recommend spending the extra money on a mountain terrain pair (yes, you can use these on all 3 terrain types). I also recommend purchasing a pair that include heel lifts, which help reduce fatigue and increase traction on steep sections. The overall design of snowshoes varies depending on the brand and the final decision comes down to personal preference. Darcy Wanders' Recommendation: I flew down a steep section one time in a pair of snowshoes that only had crampons located under my feet. Once was enough for me, it was terrifying. I got home that afternoon and researched the various snowshoe designs and settled on a pair of snowshoes from MSR's Ascent collection. Snowshoes in this collection are designed with crampons located under your feet and either steel traction rails or aggressive perimeter teeth. No more snowshoe skiing for me!
Don't Forget your Neck Gaiter. You are going to work up a sweat snowshoeing up to Artist Point, but the wind chill at the top is no joke. Make sure you throw your neck gaiter or balaclava on - your cheeks and nose will thank you!
Moisture-Wicking is Key. Again, the wind chill at the top of Artist Point is no joke! Make sure that you are wearing base layers that have both moisture management and temperature regulation. You definitely do not want to be on the trail in clothes that do not dry once they become damp from sweat: once you become chilled, you will not get warm again. Cotton is not your friend.
Layer Down for Travel. Don't start your hike off already sweaty from the car ride, your body is going to have to work extra hard to regulate your temperature. I generally travel to and from the trailhead in either just my baselayers or in my baselayers with a tee and lightweight joggers on over the top.
Pack Hot Chocolate. Treat yourself at the top with a cup of hot chocolate while you take in the incredible view! There are a ton of insulated containers on the market today, but my favorite is the BRUMATE Winesulator: it's 100% leakproof, has a lifetime warranty, and has a 24-hour temperature retention. Plus, it holds a full bottle of wine, which is a lot of hot chocolate!
Love your blog ❤️ From your pictures, to trail awareness, to clothing and equipment tips, you are spot on. Love your non geek travel directions 😀 Excited to wander through another adventure!