Hiking Table Mountain near Mt Baker, WA

Yesterday, we drove up to Artist Point - the end of the Mt Baker highway, where I previously rode my bike.  We went up to hike up Table Mountain.  Here is a picture from the road just below the parking lot (which I actually took a couple of weeks ago on my biking trip.)  (Note:  If you click on the picture, you will get a full size view in your browser window.  Use the back button to go back to the blog.)

It really is a walk up, although you have to be prepared for some mountain-goat trails.  I didn't take the dog, because I really didn't feel like being pulled over the edge of the trail.  It was a good call - just past the trail head is a sign that reads "No dogs allowed."   There are many reasons NOT to bring a dog - this rocky trail would have been hard on her feet.  

In terms of weather, the day was identical to my cycling trip in August.  Here are some shots of Mt Baker from the lower sections of the trail, still near the parking lot.

Here are Sean and Liam after we've just started.

Seriously, it's a bit of a goat trail for a period of time. 

The next picture is looking down on Bagley lakes, the Visitor Center, Heather Meadows, and the Mt Baker highway.  You can also see some of the trails that depart from the Visitor Center. 

The boys clowning around in a small snow cave.  

Kevin and the boys.

Me and the boys.

Sean with Mt Shuksan in the background.  See the glaciers?  (Click on the pic to get a larger view.)

At the top, the trail is more reasonable.

The trail keeps on going to the larger section of Table Mountain.

Liam on the snow field.  Standing on the snow wasn't cold.  It felt great.   We're at 6000 ft or so here.

Me and Kevin - in bad light.  

We hadn't carried any food up, and we'd already hiked about an hour at this point, so we turned around.

Here is a picture of Sean heading down the goat trail, from where I am above him on the trail.

We had a great time.  There are several trail heads from Artist Point and other lower locations on the Mt Baker highway.  Next time, I think we'll pack a lunch (or at least a snack) and walk farther.   We had lunch at Milano's in Glacier, WA.   Great food after a hike, skiing, or biking.