TABLE MOUNTAIN -Topside Loop July 6/17 & Picture Lake
 

The hike of the day was a short 6+ km return to do a loop from parking lot to Table Mountain top area and back.

A fine trip; short and sweet 4-1/2 hours hiking for less than 6 km return. This was a lazy day, stopping by Picture Lake and the Interpretation Center to view the area, and the center itself.

Picture Lake is truly appropiately named; a great spot to photography Mt. Shuskhan with reflections.

Table Mountain can be accessed on its eastern terminus via that switchback trail to above the cliff face. First is the snow to walk on; then the exposed trail up to the top. From there is snow over almost the entier plateau except a few fringe aras and the western and southern fringe forests.

Stats: 4 hours hike to 5 km lazy pace return. Elevation , minimum 1500 meters; high point 1750 meters

PHOTOS:

AT PICTURE LAKE.....

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AT THE INTERPRETATION CENTER, OVERLOOKING BAGLIE LAKES

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SNOW WALLS OUTLINING THE PARKING LOT, 20 feet (6 meters high)
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TABLE MOUNTAIN - SOUTH & EAST CLIFFS.
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ACCESS ROAD BELOW

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WIL CLIMBING UP STEEP SLOPE OF SNOW BANK - WALL
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ACCESS TRAIL Uncovered, start here.....and continues up with switchbacks.
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VIEW OVER PARKING LOT & ARTIST POINT FROM TRAIL..
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TRAIL CONTINUES UP TO RIM, WE ARE READY TO CROSS THE PLATEAU.
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SNOW EXPANSE OF THE PLATEAU AHEAD.....
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MT BAKER & FRINGE TREES
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Broken Abused Tree....
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VIEW OF TABLE MOUNTAIN SNOWY TOP, From west end looking east.
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ANN PEAK TO THE SOUTH, Fringe trees in foreground...
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PLATEAU - North Extension, and snow cap on plateau
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CLIFF EDGE VIEW - MT SHUSKHAN & PARKING LOT, & ARTIST POINT
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Zoom shot - Coleman Pinnacle in front of Mt. Baker
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Zoom shot - Ridge in front of Lake Ann, with Shushkan behind.
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DOWN THE SWITCHBACKING TRAIL....
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OVERVIEW OF PARKING LOT, AS WE APPROACH... And then closer
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COMPARE HEIGHT OF SNOW ALL TO ME AND MY CAR
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A LAST SIT DOWN BY PICTURE LAKE
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ON OUR WAY OUT, LAST VISUAL TREAT -- GALENA CREEK FALLS
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A SPLENDID DAY WITH PLENTY OF REWARD FOR RELATIVELY LITTLE EFFORT.

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GPS TRACK
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GPS Google Image - Track and side profile
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