Mt Baker Trail Running Extravaganza: Ptarmigan Ridge, Lake Ann, Excelsior Peak

Trip Date: August 6-7, 2022 This weekend Dad and I drove to Artist Point at Mount Baker. We started early on Saturday morning with the 11 mile Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, which had spectacular views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan the entire way. We had the trail mostly to ourselves, though the crowds began on our return. There were still many snow fields because Mt Baker is so far North. After making it back to Artist Point, we hiked almost 9 miles to Lake Ann, which was still frozen over. The trail brought us up close and personal with Mt Shuksan, and we could see the its glaciers and hanging waterfalls in stark detail. That night we disperse camped, then drove to Damfino Lakes Trailhead, which is about half an hour from Artist Point. We woke up early to do the Excelsior Peak/High Divide Trail. We quickly emerged from the forest to a ridge of sprawling emerald lawns with quivering wildflowers including yarrow, spiraea, and heather. We hiked to the Welcome Pass junction, then turned around to hike a total of 16 miles.