Mt. Baker Adventures: Chasing Epic Sunsets at Artist Point
I think my dog millie was just as stoked as we were.
A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to see Artist Point for the first time. I had been hearing about this spot for years, seeing posts on social media and wishing I could see it for myself. Having just moved to Bellingham I was beyond excited that this amazing place is only an hour from my home.
It was sunny, a bit chilly and from Bellingham I could see beautiful cloud formations rolling through the mountains surrounding Mt Baker. Beyond excited, I hopped in the car with my girlfriend and dog, met up with some friends and we hit the road.
We had plenty of time before sunset, so we decided to check out some forest roads splitting off of the Mt Baker highway.
These roads seems to go on forever splitting in different directions, leading to mountaintops, secret camp spots and places a photographer can only dream of. I think my dog millie was just as stoked as we were.
After driving through the forest chasing fog and taking photos, we decided to head toward artist point. This drive is one of my new favorites. It just keeps getting better as you gain elevation, transitioning from temperate, moss covered forests to alpine meadows and rocky peaks. One of the last stops before Artist point is the Chain lakes loop trail. This 5.7 mile trail has beautiful meadows, alpine lakes and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. We stopped and spent the next two hours running around among the fall colors, picking blueberries and snapping photos.
After getting our fill of the scenery (and blueberries), we continued toward artist point. Upon reaching the parking lot I was completely blown away by the scenery. 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, beautiful sunset colors reflecting off dozens of small pools nestled among huge rock formations, this place was like a dream. We explored until the last bits of light had escaped over the horizon, capturing as many memories as we could.
Thanks for taking the time to read my story! If you'd like to follow along on my adventures or look at some more of my photography, go follow @johnwingfield on Instagram. And if you'd like to see some cute photos of my dog, go follow @milliethegolden on Instagram as well!
Stay tuned, in my next post I'll be sharing a story from my adventures at Mt Rainier National park!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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