HEATHER MEADOWS & AUSTIN PASS, WA

July 24, 2010
On Friday night I checked the Trail News for Mount Baker Highway. I watch it every day, in fact, to see if the road to Heather Meadows and Artist Point is open yet. It's one of my favorite places in Washington.


I was so excited that I got all my gear together, packed the lunch the night before and got up extra early.

Much to my dismay, it appeared that someone had jumped the gun with the announcement as the road was gated at Austin Pass. The snowplough was apparently still 1/4 mile away from Artist Point. Nevertheless, it was a gorgeous day and the scenery was spectacular.

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We had a quick stop at Picture Lake on the way up. Oh, it was lovely to see it again.
 
 
     
   
     
Our journey ended at Austin Pass, a couple of miles short of our planned destination.
     
   
     
It's a lovely area. The hiking trails were still snowed under but the views were great.
   

     
   
     
Some folks brought skis and toboggans.


     
   
     
Looking like a snow surfer, one of the many cyclists here rode up the hill as the road was gated only to cars.


     
   
     
Others travelled on foot. It's quite a slog to the end of the road.
 

     
   
     
Behind the greenery just to the right of the middle here, a crowd was having a huge snowball fight.

 
     
   
     
Ahh, lunchtime - who could ask for a better view? We enjoyed the scenery while we ate our Greek Turkeyburgers (flavored with chopped mint and feta cheese and topped with fire-roasted red peppers and homemade tsatziki), heirloom tomatoes and Rainier cherries.

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