Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Artist Point snowshoe

This past weekend Al sent around an email to the Trailblazers to see if anybody wanted to go up to Artist Point with him today from the Heather Meadows parking lot to "snowshmush" as he called it, and he was right. With all the warm weather we've had lately, the plentiful snow was the consistency of sno-cones. We strapped on our snowshoes and went anyway. Nobody showed up except me, so just the two of us went out for one last visit to the area before the summer season.
Here you see Al messing with his new camera as we get started. We intended to head up to Huntoon Point, our usual snowshoe destination, but once we had navigated Cardiac Hill and made it to the ridge, we decided to head towards Table Mountain, just for a change of pace. It was slow going through the soft snow, making it much harder than usual. But the scenery was spectacular, not a cloud in the sky, very little breeze, and temperatures in the sixties.
Al took this picture of me with beautiful Mt. Shuksan in the background. I never tire of looking at it, and thanks to the many hikes taken with the Trailblazers, I've seen it from several different angles. Artist Point is the starting point for many of our summer hikes, and I was hoping I could find a picture of the parking lot at the end of the road to Artist Point, which doesn't open until the end of July, usually, but here's what it looks like today.
Underneath that mound of snow in the middle of the parking lot is a bathroom that will probably not even be visible until right around the summer solstice at the end of June. Two years ago, the road to Artist Point never did open because there was so much snow. Hopefully this year we will get to enjoy some of our favorite hikes once again. If the warm weather we've had the past two weeks continues, there will be no doubt!
But, as you can see here, there is still plenty of snow that needs to melt before the flowers at this altitude will be able to bloom. The bloom today is all in my pink cheeks, although I slathered on the sunscreen liberally. The incredibly fine weather will continue around here at least until the weekend, and I intend to enjoy it to the fullest. Not to mention how happy it's making my garden!
:-)

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful! And just two of you today. That must have been quite a different experience.

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  2. You will have to show us that same view in July! Looks like a really pretty day:)

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  3. What a glorious day in the mountains!

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  4. 60 degree air and snow schmush under your feet. :)

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  5. Nothing like walking across a snow field. I'm always amazed at how huge the drifts are even in July. surprising too how soon the flowers bloom once the snow melts.

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  6. wow what amazing mountains...and all that snow...and a buried bathroom...haha...bet that was awesome though

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  7. No doubt you are the most faithful Trailblazer. Looks like it was indeed a wonderful day.

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  8. Who names those hills. Love!
    Sunshine and dedicated trailblazers. Life is good!
    Beautiful photos.
    Hugs,
    J.

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  9. Gee, just imagine: snow in May. I would love to see the same area in September.

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  10. It sounds even more exhausting to do a hike with snowshoes strapped to your feet. However, you certainly had a wonderful day for it.

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  11. Ooooh. That looks stunning. And over the other side of the world, our garden is enjoying sunshine as well. Though rain would be better for it...

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  12. How frustrating. I'm an artist and I will probably never make it to Artist's Point. But I have always wanted to try snow shoes.

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  13. Gorgeous views and clear skies- what more can you as from a hike?

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  14. Breathtaking views! But I'd pass on the snow. Just too soon to see snow again--LOL! ;)

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  15. Bathroom buried?? What does one do?
    Some how got the feeling that Cardiac Hill was aptly named.
    Sounds like the two of you had a great day. The scenery is beautiful

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  16. I've never been out in the snow in my shirtsleeves before. Nice.
    xo jj

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  17. WOW, that's a rarity isn't it - just the two of you. I am amazed with all the snow. Ours is finally gone and after 2 weeks of glorious sunshine we are now starting a week of rain - badly needed with dry forests here and fires. That's a real nice photo of you n mountains DJan.

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  18. Spectacular views! But I had to laugh at the name of that hill: Cardiac Hill!

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  19. The fact that it's so warm and yet there's snow all around you just blows me away. My son sent me a photo that he took of Cold Lake, Alberta where it hit 27C (80F). People were tanning but the lake was still half frozen. I'm glad you enjoyed your hike.. even if only the two of you opted to do it. You're game for just about anything, aren't you? :)

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  20. Noe that is a good workout ! the scenery is just fabulous.

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