Table Mountain, Chain Lakes Loop — Friday, Sep. 21, 2001

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Took a break from the usual less-tramped and long day trips, and headed up to one of the prettiest places I've ever seen. It's a 2:30 drive from Everett to the Mt Baker lodge and Artist Point, if you take time off for a milkshake at that berry place near Glacier. Yum! By 12:30 we had an ""early alpine start"" from Artist Point. You won't be alone up here on a beautiful weekend. Mobs at the trailhead, even a forest service station for collecting those parking fees (if you don't have a volunteer pass or paid pass already). The trail is in perfect condition. And extremely easy. And full of scenes of Mt Baker's iced slopes. And full of scenes of Mt Shuksan's iced and rock slopes. Both are spectacular views. We went through quite a bit of Kodachrome 25 snapping off coffee table book view after view. We traversed around Table Mt and dropped down to Iceberg Lakes. Then spent a half hour dipping our toes in the water. More tripod shots past the lake of Baker and lake and lenticular cloud and tree and reflection... then a leisurely walk through more blueberry fields. Then some fun little scrambles on rock. Then topping out after a climb to a pass where the view changes from Mt Baker to Mt Shuksan. Wow! After a long stop at the pass capturing more images, we dropped down, halted by berries numerous times. In a field of rocks with substantial marble content, rocks to scramble, and a stupendous view of Shuksan, out came the stove. In went four ears of corn, then some instant dinners and hot chocolates for all. After an easy walk down to the road, I prepared for a jog up the 3 miles to get the car. But good Samaritans happened by at the perfect time. They offered to drive us back to the car at Artist Point. Lo and behold, this gave us time to watch the alpenglow develop on Shuksan. And up went the tripod for more exposures of warm lit glaciers of this incredibly scenic peak. At last, it was time to get the heck out of Dodge, time to go home and dream about superb views, good company, and milkshakes.