Artist Point (Mount Baker)
Artist Point
A viewpoint at the end of the Mount Baker Highway at about 1,550 meters, facing the twin snowy peaks of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. It is the most popular summer and autumn hiking spot near Seattle
Artist Point is at the end of State Route 542, the Mount Baker Highway, at about 1,550 meters. On one side is glacier-covered Mount Baker. On the other is Mount Shuksan, mirrored in Picture Lake, which is known as the most photogenic mountain view in North Cascades. Several trails leave the parking lot. The Artist Ridge Trail, about 1.6 km around the plateau, is gentle and suitable for everyone. The trail toward Table Mountain offers alpine lakes and wildflowers. The longer Chain Lakes Loop takes most of a day. The road is open only from about mid-July to late September, once the snow has melted, and weekend parking fills early. You need a Northwest Forest Pass or a US National Parks annual pass to park. From Seattle it is about 3 hours by car via Bellingham. It is not on the same road as Diablo Lake on Highway 20, so plan a separate day for it.
Opening hours
Open all day during summer and autumn when the road is open
Nearby sights
- Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area
- North Cascades Visitor Center
- Trail of the Cedars
- Ladder Creek Falls
- Gorge Creek Falls
- Sourdough Mountain Lookout
- Hidden Lake Lookout
- Thunder Knob Trail