Snowshoeing Heather Meadows

Past Glacier, WA, enroute to Mount Baker's Healther Meadows

January 8, 2018 near Mount Baker: From the Birch Bay time share I drove through Glacer to get to a place in the Mount Baker wilderness area where I could snowshoe. I stopped at a ski store  in Glacier and was told that the roads were cleared to a location called Healther Meadows, down from the road's terminus near Artist Point. This was a shakedown trip to test my 2005 Honda CRV against the elements and make my first snowshoe outing.
What I learned:
1. I need to double check my electronics for such an outing. I lacked the power cord to keep my phone charged , and ended up loosing my GPS and finding my way back in the dark, stopping to ask for directions.
2. I need to shake snow off garments before I get into the auto.
3. The snowshoes worked well, but they could be larger based on my weight.
4. My depth perception was lost in the gray-out conditions. I couldn't tell how high to step on the snow. At the ski shop I learned I can purchase ski masks that will improve my vision, and I will purchase one after my cataract operation.
5. I could ditch my rain pants and long underwear; ski pants were sufficient over my heavy cargo pants.
6. I have to keep snow from filling my jacket pockets; hand warmers are essential for my ski gloves.
7. I need to remember to plan food for the trip. I didn't take time to do that. It worked OK, but it's not the right thing to do.
8. I need to spend more time thinking about how to configure the interior of the car for such outings.
9. The car performed well in the snow it was exposed to. I tested the brakes and found they worked reasonably well, although there was skidding on ice and snow.
10. The concierge at the time share was worried when I didn't return before dark and tried to phone me. The call didn't get through due to the dead phone.
11. I didn't over exert, partly because I wasn't willing to push the limits until I had more experience. Things will likely change significantly after my eye operation.

It's a color photo, but snowfall turned the scene into a virtual etching

I pulled over to take some photos and also to practice snow driving in a parking lot.

At the Heather Meadows parking lot, the advanced ski lift was lifeless on a dead-gray day.

My 2005 Honda CRV was witness to the bleak light as the afternoon grew dark and cold.

Statistics for the day:

Distance: Negligible
Elevation gain: Negligible
Conditions: Cold, overcast, gray with poor visibility, and a light cold snow falling.
Load: None

Statistics, year to date unchanged:

Distance: 2 miles

Elevation gain: 1,000 feet