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Washington State Department of Transportation
Northwest Region – 15700 Dayton Ave. N. – Shoreline, WA 98133 – 206-440-4000
TRAVEL ADVISORY
May 27, 2026
Contact: Ryan McCrary, communications, 206-586-1299 (mobile)
Work underway to clear SR 542 Road to Artist Point at Mount Baker
GLACIER – On Wednesday, May 27 Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews began the process of clearing the final 2.7 miles of State Route 542/Mount Baker Highway, also known as the Road to Artist Point.
Crews are working to remove up to 20 feet of snow covering the highway and the Artist Point parking lot.
Each year, crews remove snow and ice from the highway up to the Heather Meadows area throughout the winter. However, the last 2.7 miles of SR 542 is narrow, has sharp curves and steep slopes. Each fall the road closes to vehicle traffic for safety, typically after the first significant snowfall.
In 2025, the Road to Artist Point opened on June 27 and closed Oct. 15.
After it reopens each summer, more than 650 vehicles per day travel to Artist Point. Nearly 40,000 people per year visit the Glacier Public Service Center, operated by the US Forest Service, to get required permits and check weather conditions ahead of their outdoor adventures.
People can find real-time updates for the road to Artist Point on the WSDOT Mount Baker Highway Mountain Pass page, the WSDOT Travel Map and X/formerly Twitter @wsdot_north.
Hyperlinks within the release:
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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at wsdot.com/traffic.
Americans with Disabilities Act Information
This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.
Title VI Notice to Public
It is the Washington State Department of Transportation’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his or her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator at (360) 705-7090
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