The gate to Artist Point is expected to open Sunday, meaning the long wait is over for access to one of Washington’s most popular viewpoints.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews will open the seasonal section of State Route 542 in Whatcom County at 8 a.m. Sunday. It is the second-earliest opening in the last 20 years; usually the road opens sometime in July.
The 2.7-mile section of road closed to vehicles in late October for its annual winter closure. Crews close the section when it becomes buried under snow.
About 660 vehicles travel the route to Artist Point every day on average. From there, hikers can see Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker and the rest of the Cascade Mountain range. There’s also places to camp.
Check road and trail conditions before you go and bring the necessary equipment. Although the gate is closed during the winter and cars cannot drive up to the parking lot, the area is still accessible on foot and snowshoe or by fat-tire bicycle.
