The trails near Artist Point at Mount Baker are some of my very favorite in all of Washington. With many of the hikes starting around 5,000 feet, the alpine scenery is not only unbeatable, but also highly accessible for everyone–including kids and dogs!
We made this one a girls-only trip (my daughter, my sister, and myself), though I can’t wait to bring my partner and his two kids with us next time. I’ve been scoping out this particular hike out for a couple of years now, and it exceeded my expectations.
We started at the Artist Point trailhead, and our destination was either Hayes, Iceberg, or Mazama Lake, wherever we could find a campsite. We did the trail clockwise to make it easier for little legs (according to my estimates it’s roughly 1.5 – 2 miles each way to the lakes, depending on your final destination).
Immediately, the views from the trail carved into the hillside are staggering: Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker competing for your attention. At 1.1 miles from the parking area, you reach a junction where you can either continue straight towards Ptarmigan Ridge or veer down and to the right towards the lakes, like we did.
Although there were a couple of decent campsites available at Mazama Lake, we decided to push onwards to Iceberg and Hayes because we knew the views would just keep getting better. We stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the wildflowers at Iceberg before ultimately settling on a lovely little site, perched on the ledge overlooking Hayes.
I was surprised by how many campsites there were, scattered between the three lakes–more than I had expected from reading others’ descriptions online. I would estimate that there were about a dozen around Hayes Lake alone. There was also a privy nearby with peek-a-boo views of Table Mountain’s giant cliffs surrounding Iceberg Lake. In my opinion, the shores of Iceberg were the best place to watch the sunset–I can never get enough of that orange alpenglow.
We settled in for the night, listening to the distant chatter and laughter of other groups camped across the lakes. Although I love solitude, there’s something very primal and comforting about the sound of other humans nearby, just close enough to know you’re not alone. I also like to think of each of our paths crossing as we collectively enjoy these beautiful spaces.
The next morning, Peanut and I spent a good long while collecting wild blueberries just above our campsite, which we added to our oatmeal. Ahhh, the sweet taste of summer.
The three of us went for a quick dip in Hayes Lake before heading back the way we came. A perfect August outing, and one I’m sure I will repeat in the coming years.
thetraveledtrail 