Driving up to Mt. Baker's Artist Point this Sat (June 31st)

sxue

I am thinking driving up to Mt. Baker's Artist Point this weekend - weather permitting.

Has anyone been up there before? Any tips would be appreciated.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Burnaby,+BC,+Canada&daddr=Artist+Point,+Washington+542,+WA+98244&hl=en&ll=48.860782,-121.682001&spn=0.001403,0.003015&sll=48.850258,-121.678391&sspn=0.022337,0.048237&geocode=FbMu7wIdMSGr-Clzg5whqHeGVDFpsVKHc3IK3Q%3BFWBW6QId4x6_-CklKLxvTPaEVDEtrKLF1jSZ4w&oq=burnaby&t=f&mra=ls&z=19&ecpose=48.86223999,-121.68166162,1339.26,-171.281,78.086,0

Thanks in advance!

Update:

Finally I was able to take the advantage of the current good weather and drove up to Mt. Baker.

The Drive as nice but the road leading up to the Artist Point was closed. SO we have park at the ski area and hike up to the AP.
The road was clear of snow but with falling rocks but is expect to open July 2.

The view was spectacular. I am sure I will back when the follower start to bloom in the meadow at a later time.

lulululu

I do not think that you are able to drive all the way to Artist Point right now, maybe I am  wrong, you can phone or email for the current road condition:

Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542) Conditions
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/home/?cid=stelprdb5150431

INACCESSIBLE   
5/17/2013
Snow - No vehicle access to trailhead. No pass required until summer season.

OPEN - Temporary Closure  
5/24/2013
SR 542 will be closed May 26 from mile 36 to mile 54.6 for the annual Ski to Sea Race. Road closed for winter at mile 54.7 at the Bagley Lakes trailhead and Mt. Baker Ski Area upper parking lot. Washington State regulations require all vehicles traveling east of milepost 22.91 on SR 542 to carry chains Nov. 1-April 1. Dial 511 for mountain pass and road conditions in  Washington.

anyway, you can park @Mt. Baker Ski Area upper parking lot, then hike to Artist point, it's a very easy hike.  bringing microspikes or snowshoeing might not be a  bad idea.

sxue

lulululu
I do not think that you are able to drive all the way to Artist Point right now, maybe I am  wrong, you can phone or email for the current road condition:

Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542) Conditions
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/home/?cid=stelprdb5150431
[quote]
INACCESSIBLE   
5/17/2013
Snow - No vehicle access to trailhead. No pass required until summer season.

OPEN - Temporary Closure  
5/24/2013
SR 542 will be closed May 26 from mile 36 to mile 54.6 for the annual Ski to Sea Race. Road closed for winter at mile 54.7 at the Bagley Lakes trailhead and Mt. Baker Ski Area upper parking lot. Washington State regulations require all vehicles traveling east of milepost 22.91 on SR 542 to carry chains Nov. 1-April 1. Dial 511 for mountain pass and road conditions in  Washington.

anyway, you can park @Mt. Baker Ski Area upper parking lot, then hike to Artist point, it's a very easy hike.  bringing microspikes or snowshoeing might not be a  bad idea.[/quote]

Thanks for the info. The road is no accessible yet.

How long is the hike from the parking lot to the Artist Point? I am reconsidering it as I don't have microspiles and snowshoes.

My original plan is to take photos as the weather turns nice for the weekend. After that I plan to go to Bellingham REI store in to buy some hiking equipments.

Anyone else interested to go?

lulululu

sxue
[quote]lulululu
I do not think that you are able to drive all the way to Artist Point right now, maybe I am  wrong, you can phone or email for the current road condition:

Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542) Conditions
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/home/?cid=stelprdb5150431
[quote]
INACCESSIBLE   
5/17/2013
Snow - No vehicle access to trailhead. No pass required until summer season.

OPEN - Temporary Closure  
5/24/2013
SR 542 will be closed May 26 from mile 36 to mile 54.6 for the annual Ski to Sea Race. Road closed for winter at mile 54.7 at the Bagley Lakes trailhead and Mt. Baker Ski Area upper parking lot. Washington State regulations require all vehicles traveling east of milepost 22.91 on SR 542 to carry chains Nov. 1-April 1. Dial 511 for mountain pass and road conditions in  Washington.

anyway, you can park @Mt. Baker Ski Area upper parking lot, then hike to Artist point, it's a very easy hike.  bringing microspikes or snowshoeing might not be a  bad idea.[/quote]

Thanks for the info. The road is no accessible yet.

How long is the hike from the parking lot to the Artist Point? I am reconsidering it as I don't have microspiles and snowshoes.

My original plan is to take photos as the weather turns nice for the weekend. After that I plan to go to Bellingham REI store in to buy some hiking equipments.

Anyone else interested to go?[/quote]

I can not remember the hiking time exactly, around 1 hour to hike up to Artist Point? definately a half day hike or even shorter.

It's a very popular and well beaten snow season trail, you might be fine without microspike/snowshoes.