This hike was one of our scheduled Ridge Meadows Outdoor hikes I set up and volunteered to Lead. There were four of us who took part in this trip; Ziff, Wil, KJ, and myself. Thank you all for coming to make this a fine day. Rain was in the forecast, but this improved........and actually the day was totally dry for our hike, and we got a fair bit of sunshine amongst the clouds and table top fog.
Abbotsford was the starting point around 7:30 am; and ended up starting the hike after 10 am; on our way we had a stop at the lookout (Austin Pass) near the visitor center. To enjoy the beauty of the meadows, Table Mountain, etc.
From the Artist Point Parking Lot; we hiked down the Wild Goose Trail to return to the lookout and just pass by the information center; over the stone bridge spanning the creek draining the largest of the Baglie Lakes.. and then westward towards the pass Table Mountain - Mt. Herman
It was that kind of day where three of us took hundreds of pictures.... so limited to adding a few here.
Stats: chain Lake loop, 280 meters elevation loss from the parking lot, gained 360 meters to the pass overlooking Iceberg Lake, then drop 200 meters and regain less than 100 to return along the south of Table Mountain. 12 km return., 5 hours return including lunch and many stops, plus 1/2 hour wasted to run back and retrieve my forgotten GPS.
Stats: Table Mountain, 130 meters elevation gained quickly and then a further 80 meters more to the summit of Table Mountain at its west end. 4 km return - 1 & 1/2 hours.
PHOTOS - CHAIN LAKES LOOP
The small tarn before you get to the Visitor Center
TRAIL Route MAP
View to distant Mountain, adjacent to pass overlooking Iceberg lake, and Visitor Center lower right.
This is where hike to ..on way down from Artist Point
The Viewpoint
Lower, smaller Baglie Lakes Chain
Pleasant trail, meadow below the Visitor Center
The Stone Bridge & Its Arches
Crossing this bridge
Trademark "Mt. Baker Wilderness" sign
Table Mountain - its northern ridge extension
View of Iceberg Lake from that high pass
Iceberg lake @ foot of the Table Mountain (NW corner)
Open Meadow above the lake, and the view of the Iceberg lake
Hayes Lake nearby, to the north by 100 meters
ICEBERG LAKE as viewed from its SW Shore
Mazama Lakes and adjacent camping ground area
Table Mountain NW corner high point viewed from west perimter trail beyond the lakes
Interesting - columnar & hexagonal basalt rock formation
Trail skirting south of Table Mountain
Rock formation shaped like bleacher steps, or a Roman Amphitheatre
From here... we headed back to the parking lot for a brief stop, leaving most of our gear in the vehicle. I switched from my heavy pack to a light pack, and onward to Table Mountain we go.
Chain Lakes & Table Mountain Sept.18/16
... oh well, fun day anyway ... on Sunday we just ambled around Artists Ridge and ptarmigan ridge in the brilliant sunshine. Got a lovely shot of Shuksan. Looks like a fun group you hike with.
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