Name: Table Mountain Trail
Rating: 4.6

Toolbox

Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

$5 per day fee is charged to park at Artist Point (Federal Interagency passes & National Forest passes waive fee). Purchase the required pass at the 24-hour kiosk at the ranger station in Glacier (no fee machine is located at the trailhead). Snow closes Artist Point to vehicle traffic from the early fall through mid-summer, often opening in mid-July or early August.

Description

From the Artist Point parking area, begin on the Chain Lakes Trail, but quickly turn right onto the Table Mountain Trail. Head upward on the extremely steep trail. The steepness is apparently no deterrent, as the trail is usually overrun with families, single runners, and thrill-seekers who enjoy the vertigo-inducing views down the cliff beside the trail. Views toward Mt. Baker, Baker Lake, and Mt. Shuksan open up as the trail climbs higher, offering ample vistas to enjoy while stopping to catch your breath.

About a half mile from the parking area, arrive at the top of the mountain. The trail turns left to traverse the side of the mountain (created when lava flowed into a canyon, scientists tell us). Views are somewhat limited by trees, but in this section, the trail is generally flat and has some great views of the surrounding area. The trail ends after about a mile of flat running, as it drops to an intersection with the other side of the Chain Lakes Trail.

Note: The top of Table Mountain may still be snow covered after the remainder of the trail has melted out. Use caution near sheer cliffs.