Heather Meadows

Photos by Ken P.Jr.

omgggg the snow looks so fluffy l jsut wnat to dieeee lol

great stuff dude. now for a video

It was mid 50's and very sunny. 5mp se wind, not bad.

current forecast for H.Meadows;
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.859519915404824&lon=-121.68182373046875&site=sew&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

If you wish to go hit table mountain you see in the background, I'd advise you have the 2 avy courses, and all the essential backcountry gear. We heard low rumbles all day long from cornices breaking and sloughs starting on steeper terrain.

It took us about 2-3 hours to build this, with 2 shoveling to kicker, 1 shaping, and 1 slipping the in-run. And lots of salt.

The road up to Artist Point ( right below table mtn) will open up around mid-august this year, I estimate. Right before it opens, you can get up towards tbl mountain and ride on the Bagley lake side without all that gear.

Great pics and man that is alot of work to get them considering hiking in and building the jump. I have never been backcountry boarding but I am dying to try it at least once and head out west. If you have any more pics keep posting please.

dude that looks amazing.. where is this exactly?>

Thanks for more pics, they are awesome. You eating the pine tree on ther other hand ouch lol. Looks like a blast. Wish I had mountains like that around where I live.

This is a short hike from the very top pking lot at Mt.Baker.

Artist Point info can be found here;
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/baker/artistpoint/

We were close to the "W" mark above the river basin that runs from Bagley lakes;


Good resource for backcountry is www.turns-all-year.com

We didn't go far at all, just a 15-20 min hike! I've hiked to top of Artist and table, but not when there is this much snow pack (usually after Artist point opens).

Right now in the NW, there is soo much snow, and it continues to fall!!

Not a dumb question at all. There is a parking tag you are supposed to get;
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/passespermits/nwfp.shtml

I have not bought one this year, but plan to. Very unlikely that you will get a ticket though.

Thanks for the comments, I will pass them on to Ken!

Here are a few more;

Artist Point and TBL mtn (you can drive right up to the base of the top peak after Artist Point opens up)

Someone was creating huge balls of snow as you can see here. Some were the size of a Mini cooper. Almost thought about building a jib on two that were spaced 10 ft apart on a steep part of the hill;

Friend earning his turns. My favorite shot by Ken from the day (that's a river under all that snow!;

I don't mean to be rude, but that's Shuksan in the background not Baker and holy crap does it look phat up there right now.  Love the picture of Table and Little Alaska.  Really great backcountry in that area.

I miss the snow. Its freakin 90 degrees here.

looks nice in the NW, you'll be riding until next season

It is an amazing area.




Another view of Shuksan in the background.

And here is Baker.


Such a great area. When it's on, it's full on.

Oops, my bad. I stand corrected, Baker is the big bad mtn in Kill's photo set!

Nice shots, when were they from?

I'd like to find out the approach to go up to top of Table mtn you took as well ( I assume up the left side facing uphill from Artist pt) I've not done the hike up TBL earlier than July, but we are thinking of going back out there on around the 28th.

killclimbz, that second pic is frickin' awesome! I've yet to touch backcountry... it's something I would like to eventually graduate to in the near future. I'm trying to get a group of ppls to do a heli trip to Alaska with me. :p

gloo, daaaang man, I'm assuming you walked away since you're on here posting about it though so glad you're ok!

Originally posted by gloo540 Oops, my bad. I stand corrected, Baker is the big bad mtn in Kill's photo set! Nice shots, when were they from? I'd like to find out the approach to go up to top of Table mtn you took as well ( I assume up the left side facing uphill from Artist pt) I've not done the hike up TBL earlier than July, but we are thinking of going back out there on around the 28th.

I was in the Baker area January 30th - February 1st.  I was out visiting a buddy who lives in Gold Bar who is also a splitboarder.  We got to do some great stuff while we were there. We did a bunch of lines off of Table in the Little Alaska area.  That was great super steep stuff.  We also did the White Salmon Glacier on Shuksan.  Another just fantastic drop and highly recommended.  So being that I am only semi familiar with the area, I believe artist point to be the shoulder you top out on when you leave the Baker gate?  Regardless, we booted up the lookers left ridge line to get up to Table. 


The snow was just soft enough to kick steps, though a couple of spots were a little dicey.  That thing is very steep no doubt.  Probably over 60 degrees.  If the snow had of been firmer I would have wanted my crampons to go up that route.  You can also hike up the valley and approach Table from the lookers right, though it's more roundabout.  Still, from what I can tell, there is no easy way to get on top of it.  When the snow is stable and you got good pow, the lines off of Table are pretty damn crazy, and fun!

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY! beats the office view

Buckeye, the snow will be around the lower Heather Meadows area until mid july. Table will likely be covered until mid august. By comparison, July 29 was the date they were able to open the road from H.Meadows parking lot to Artist Point.

There are glaciers that hang around all year around. My friend and I went up around Sept or August to table mountain ( I remember it getting dark fast after 4pm ish, so I believe it was late in summer).

If you watch vids like "the stomping grounds" from Mack back in the days, you'll see lots of Baker shots in summer.

I hope to update with more photos from upcoming trips!

that grab is so retro

Yeah, I have to remember not to straighten the other arm... I started riding in '88 so I am a bit retro, and the Kevin Jones style is burned into my head.