[mobike008]

Drive to Artist Point, Mt. Baker on September 1st, 2024

As Mom was heading back to India after almost 6-months, she wanted to say “Bye” to the mountains.

After all my mom has gone after me, she too loves outdoors as much as I do (oops, was it the other way around that usually sons go after mom? Lol)

Anyhoo, I planned a day trip + picnic along with my close pal and their family. As my mom gets along with his mom like a house on fire.

I was hoping my pal would get his brand new acquisition- Audi Q8 e-TRON but, just like me he too was wary of bringing an EV to the mountains so he got his old workhorse along- Volvo XC 90.

It was a lazy Sunday so we started out lazily at 9:30am and met at our local Starbucks store and grabbed some coffee, bagel to be enjoyed in the car.

We then proceeded to head to mountains which was a 2-hour drive. This drive was about 110 miles one-way and out which about 40 miles of freeway and rest of it mountain roads. I have driven on quite a few mountain roads but, this route takes the cake. 70 miles of brain numbing twistes till we reach Artist Point. It was fun to go manual and use paddles to tame these curves.

No wonder this entire route was full of motorcycles and we also spotted a couple of Porsche 911's and a Ferrari out to enjoy these amazing twists & switchbacks.

I was here a couple of times before and it's usually in Winters and last time being in February 2024. This place gets just too much snow as it’s bang between two mountain ranges (Mt. Baker & Mt. Shuksan). When we were there last Sunday, it felt like a brand new places as there is no snow and everything is visible as during winters, this place is “Pure White”.

We reached the main spot around 1:00pm after that enjoyable mountain drive. We found a nice spot to enjoy our picnic.

We got these home-made :

Tamarind Rice
Paneer Burji Sandwiches
Parantha with Paneer Burji (It was heated on a portable stove)
Sodas
Masala Chai in a flask (This was so refreshing).

Post this lovely lunch, we walked closer to the Mt. Baker and flew my drone. Sharing some pictures and videos in a separate post.

Then we drove over to Picture Lake which is about 2 couple of miles from here. It was amazing to see the reflection of Mt. Shuksan in the crystal clear water.

Last time, we were here, the lake was frozen and we even walked on it.

I keep repeating this to myself, Washington is such a treasure cove for outdoors as within 2-hours drive there are so many beautiful gems to be enjoyed.

We started back at 6:00pm and were home by 8:00pm.

It was a fun and enjoyable day trip and mom was satisfied and ready to tackle the urban life of India. LOL!

Cheers & Hope you Enjoy this virtual tour of North Cascades National Park. !!!

The Gang...



Transporters..

[mobike008]

As mentioned in my post above, the route is one of the most enjoyable and is a driver's dream. 70 Miles of twisties and switchbacks lets you enjoy the car to the hilt.

This post has a few pictures of the route to Artist Point.

Beautiful route through out..











Porsche 911's and Ferrari out here to enjoy the twisties. Check the Porsche's plate.









Brave Fella- Electric Hummer in the mountains..



This is a favorite skiing spot in Washington- One out of 3 or 4 spots.









70 Miles of route like this. It was a match made in heaven- BMW & These Roads.





Bimmer warning me...lol!!

[mobike008]

Well, our primary aim of this trip was to get out and do a small picnic and enjoy the food in a nice outdoor setting.

We couldn't have asked for a better spot. I suggested sitting on the ground closer to the mountain but, the ladies shot my idea down.

We settled for the second best location where the Mt.Baker was visible from a distance while we munched away.

Us at Picture Lake



Isn't this gorgeous???



Mt. Baker from the Picnic Spot



Going further up to Picture Lake.













Blau Rakete poses against Mt. Baker.











Masala Chai...Anyone?



Spectacular..





Entire Washington is in the mountains..



This tells you that "Fall" is around the corner..







Gorgeous. Snow is still on the peak.







Picture Lake- Isn't the name apt?





Beautiful Picture Lake

https://youtu.be/0Cpfpo5fJ04

Driving Downhill from Artist Point, Mt. Baker

https://youtu.be/N2coItDNing

Picnic at Mt.Baker

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZXa2KvJY_Cg?feature=share

[mobike008]

This post has a few pictures & Videos taken by my Drone- DJI Mini 3















A couple of drone videos from the place we enjoyed our Picnic.

https://youtu.be/iOKSHd8F38s

https://youtu.be/B83KA0VmTgU

[mobike008]

Artist Point, Mt. Baker in Winters

It was a pleasant surprise to see Artist Point in its "summer dress" as the last few times I was here it was winter and as mentioned in previous post, it snows too much out here and gets almost 5-6 feet of snow and it does snow daily during most parts of winter which lasts almost till April.

Sharing some pictures of the exact same location from last year when we did a "Team-BHP-Winter Drive to Artist Point". It was freezing cold (-10C or more) and we could not stand outside even for a few minutes.

In that weather, I trudged up to the corner of the mountains via. heaps of snow (my feet went in some places till my knees) to the edge of the mountain.

It was a stupid and fun thing to do. LOL!

Can you believe that this is "exact same location" as the previous posts. Even the Picture Lake was frozen.

Cheers till our next beautiful day trip in Washington. !!!

Scenic "Pure White" drive. I think I like the winters more than summers..







Picture Lake- Frozen in winters..

















I still remember how much I struggled to reach to this end point. Fell many times in the snow, my hands were completely frozen. I felt that if I stay out for 15 mins more then I will get hypothermia. But, heck it was worth it to enjoy this winter wonderland.

[Eddy]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing.

[srinitdas]

This thread could not have come at a more opportune time. Here we are at 9.30 pm on a Friday night deciding our Saturday morning drive plan.

So in less than 12 hours, we will be driving to the same place. Thanks for sharing and helping decide our drive plan tomorrow.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by srinitdas

This thread could not have come at a more opportune time. Here we are at 9.30 pm on a Friday night deciding our Saturday morning drive plan.

So in less than 12 hours, we will be driving to the same place. Thanks for sharing and helping decide our drive plan tomorrow.

That's wonderful to know. Glad that this photoblog helped you decide your weekend destination. I am sure you will enjoy the drive and the final destination.

Look forward to pictures upon your return.

Enjoy !!

[Kkumar]

Wonderful travelogue with excellent photographs. Forces one to get out of the home and go for a drive. Thank you for sharing and keep on munching miles.