Mount Baker Highway is an extraordinary day trip in Washington
Mount Baker Highway is a very scenic drive located within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the US state of Washington. The end of the road at Artist Point is only open for 3-4 months in late summer and early fall.
How long is Mount Baker Highway in Washington?
The road (also known as Washington State Route 542) is fully paved. It’s 92km (57 miles) long and runs from the Interstate 5 interchange in Bellingham (a coastal city in Washington State, near the Canadian border, 90 minutes north of Seattle), along the scenic North Fork Nooksack River, to Mount Baker’s Artist Point (at 1,566m-5,140 feet above sea level).
When was Mount Baker Highway in Washington built?
The highway was constructed in 1893 as a wagon road for the logging industry.
How’s driving on the Mount Baker Highway?
The last couple of switchbacks force you to make an inner decision because you can see where you're going—up and more up—and it will either discourage you or set you on fire. There are no services such as food, gas, or flushing toilets beyond the town of Glacier at Mile 33.
How long does it take to drive Mount Baker Highway?
Located near the Canadian border, plan about 2 hours to complete the drive without any stop. However, the drive is very scenic and will take longer. It’s an extraordinary day trip packed with breathtaking scenery winding along the banks of the Nooksack River. It provides access to some of the most scenic areas in all the United States. Artist Point is located at the very end of Mount Baker Highway and boasts 360-degree views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker, as well as access to a variety of trails.
Is the Mount Baker Highway open?
Set high in Whatcom County, on the northwestern corner of the US state of Washington, the eastern terminus of the road, at Artist Point on Kulshan Ridge is closed annually by WSDOT between October and July due to extreme weather conditions. In the winter months, the road ends at milepost 55, which is the Mount Baker Ski Area—holder of the world record for snowfall in single season. The road to Artist Point typically opens in July and remains open until the first substantial snowfall of the year, which usually comes in late September or early October.
Pic: Brett Norman