As the most photographed landscapes in Washington state, Picture Lake and Artist Point are must-see hiking trails for nature lovers. These treasures are at the end of the Mount Baker Scenic highway. The beautiful ride there is part of the journey. I spent a weekend on a Photography Tour with Mountaineers on a Mount Baker area getaway during October. Here’s my tips on why this should be on anyone’s bucket list for a photography muse.
However, the Artist Point parking lot is only available by car from July to October. So, with this short window, it’s best to go on weekdays to avoid crowds. These hikes are both relatively easy. So, a bonus for these beautiful hikes is that it doesn’t take much time or effort to reach the climactic viewpoint.
Mount Baker Scenic Highway or Route 542
In the North Cascades, this 57-mile scenic route starts in Bellingham and runs east, ending at Artist Point. The route mostly follows the North Fork Nooksack River Valley. It lies within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Small, rural towns along the way include Deming, Maple Falls and Glacier. Also, there is a stop for the beautiful Nooksack Falls. Toward the end of the highway is Mount Baker aka Koma Kulshan “great white watcher.” This glacier-covered, active stratovolcano stands at 10,781 ft (3,286 m). It is known for being one of the snowiest places on earth. So, it’s a great ski area. North Cascades National Park is nearby east of Artist Point.
Weather and Road Conditions
The Mount Baker Highway is the only road to Mount Baker ski area. However, after the first heavy snow, the road is not plowed from Mount Baker to Artist Point. It typically opens in July. Be sure to check the Mount Baker Highway road conditions before going there.
Accommodations – Mount Baker Lodge
As a member of Washington’s outdoor community, Mountaineers, I signed up for a stay at their Baker Lodge. This is within walking distance from Mount Baker and numerous trails. I loved my stay here and highly recommend it to others.
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Heather Meadows Area
Alpine plants “grow by the inch and die by the foot.”
Similar to Paradise at Mount Rainier, Heather Meadows is a recreational area with a visitor center and hiking trails. The meadows are painted with purple heather and huckleberries. The hemlock trees are small, yet 900 years old, because of their short growing season. Also, there are many interpretive signs to learn about the flora and fauna. From the Heather Meadows Visitor Center, the Wild Goose Trail goes to Artist Point.
Picture Lake Trail
Wheelchair-Friendly .6-Mile Loop
The stunning Picture Lake Trail is near Mount Baker and Artist Point. This is one of the most photographed landmarks in Washington state. It’s one of those incredible views that you don’t have to work hard to reach. The lake’s .6-mile paved trail goes around the shores of this small lake.
The beautiful vista of Mount Shuksan mirrors on Picture Lake. Especially, if you can go in the autumn, you can see the reflections of the snowy peak and colorful foliage. There is a platform to stop and take in the views. I got very close to a deer here, that seemed comfortable with me.
Artist Point – Huntoon Point
Family-Friendly 1.2-Mile Trail
At the end of the Mount Baker Highway is the scenic vista, 1.2-mile Artist Point Trail. It has a parking lot and trailhead. The road to it is not plowed in winter, but remains a popular snowshoeing destination. In summer, also, this is a primary access to Chain Lakes Loop, Table Mountain Trail, and Ptarmigan Ridge Trail.
Photography Tip: It’s ideal to explore Artist Point during sunset to see the colors of the North Cascades’ alpenglow.
There is a reason why this is called Artist Point, as I can attest to with my photographs. Truly, my photos look more like an artist’s paintings than photographs. The 360-degree views paint the views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, wildflowers, foliage and tarns.
Huntoon Point is just off the Artist Point Trail with the climactic views of the North Cascades. Just like Picture Lake, this short trail offers big rewards with little effort. It only gains about 300 feet in elevation and is just over a mile in length.
Enjoy Picture Lake and Artist Point Trails!
Overall, I drove up to Mount Baker Lodge on a Friday night. Then, I spent an October weekend on a Photography Tour with Mountaineers at Picture Lake and Artist Point Trails. Keep in mind that the drive there is part of the journey. Plus, there are many more trailheads from Artist Point. It would be ideal to stay a couple more days and explore more trails. Nonetheless, the Mount Baker area offers a quick weekend getaway for some breathtaking photography muse.
Read More!
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