Remembering a Smoky Weekend at Mt. Shuksan and Bellingham

Mt. Shuksan, in the North Cascades, is one of the most photogenic mountains in the U.S and I’d always wanted to see it. The most accessible scenic views are at Picture Lake, an easy drive from Bellingham, but most of the year the trail at the lake is snowed in. That leaves only the summer months which also happens to be wildfire season.

So it was, a few years ago, we made the trip to Bellingham in the middle of August, where smoke from wildfires made for a mysterious sky and sunset over Bellingham Bay.

The next day we drove to Mt. Shuksan, which was as beautiful as I expected, even though it was partially obscured by the haze of smoke.

Still, we took the trail around the lake, admiring it from all angles,

imagining how awesome it would be under clear skies.

I hope to go back to see it again before wildfire season begins, or perhaps in in the fall, when surrounding colors turn to gold.

For more on Mt. Shuksan and Picture Lake, check out the National Forest Website – Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | Picture Lake Path | Forest Service

Sharing with Sunday Stills, Smoky.

~ Susanne