Artist Point closed for the season at Mt. Baker due to snow

GLACIER - WSDOT crews closed the road to Artist Point on Tuesday morning because up to 4 inches of new snow fell in the area. The snow level has dropped to 4,000 feet and Artist Point is more than 5,000 feet above sea level. More snow is expected tonight and this week.

Artist Point is located at the very end of Mount Baker Highway (State Route 542) and boasts 360-degree views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker,as well as access to a variety of trails. It typically opens in July and remains open until the first substantial snowfall of the year, which usually comes in late September or early October.

Crews opened the road to Artist Point on July 14 this year. In 2008,WSDOT closed the road on Oct. 6, and in 2007, it was closed on Sept. 27.For a more detailed open/close history of the road, visit the Artist Point Web page - www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/Baker/ArtistPoint.

It's hard to believe fall came so quickly, considering we had such a nice weekend. The weather sure changed in a hurry, didn't it? Artist Point was absolutely packed last weekend. Many people took the opportunity to get one last visit in before the weather changed. Good thing they did too. If you didn't make it up there this year, better luck next year.

Contact: Dustin Terpening, WSDOT communications, 360-757-5997

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