Northwest Forest Pass (annual) or a $5 Day ePass/National Forest Day Pass is required to park at Artist Point.
Welcome to Artist Point! This location is known for its overwhelmingly beautiful, spectacular viewpoint and large amount of snow which set the world record for snowfall in a single season – 1,140 inches (95 feet) / 2,896 cm (29 meters) in the ski area for the 1998-1999 season. Therefore, it is an excellent summer (hiking, camping, trail running) and winter (snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding) destination.
Direction to Artist Point:
From Bellingham, Washington, drive east to the end of Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542 - also known as Mt. Baker Scenic Byway). Artist Point is about 58 miles from Bellingham and approximately 24 miles from the Glacier Public Service Center at milepost 34.
There is another Virtual Cache, "At Your Service - Cascadian Style" (GC9P508) if you stop by the Glacier Public Service Center!
Heather Meadows Recreation Area/Artist Point:
As you drive up the Mt. Baker Highway, you will enter the Heather Meadow Recreation Area at milepost 53. Picture Lake with Mount Shuksan in the background - one of the most photographed vistas in the US – will follow at milepost 55.
You will pass the Heather Meadows Visitor Center at milepost 56 where you might have to stop to take in a view again.
Continue driving up for another 2 miles to Artist Point, and a magnificent 360-degree view of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker awaits you at the end of the road. Since this is one of the most popular outdoor destinations of the Pacific Northwest, the large parking area might be packed with hikers and families during the summer weekends.
Artist Point and Heather Meadows area provides access to Artist Ridge Trail, Bagley Lakes Trail, Chain Lakes Trail, Fire & Ice Trail, Lake Ann Trail, Panorama Dome Trail, Picture Lake Path, Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, Table Mountain Trail, and Wild Goose Trail.
Due to the snow, the road to Artist Point is closed about 2/3 of the year, and in a typical year, the parking is open from around July to early October. For the remainder of the year, the road is accessible only up to the ski area – about 3 miles below Artist Point at milepost 55. This means this Virtual Cache can be a seasonal cache for most of us. Every year, people count days until the road opens to Artist Point, and you will be doing the same if you miss the season!
NOTE: Terrain rating for this Virtual Cache is for the season in which the road is open to Artist Point. During the winter time, a skilled person can still get out to Artist Point by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing from the ski area.
Please note that in the winter, it requires travel through avalanche terrain to reach Artist Point. If you choose to travel during the winter, it is advisable to have basic winter/snow safety AND avalanche awareness knowledge. Please make sure to check avalanche conditions via the Northwest Avalanche Center before departing.
References:
Artist Point Trailhead. United States Forest Service | U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=80180
Virtual Logging Requirements:
To claim credit for this Virtual Cache, please complete at least one of the tasks below (during the winter season, you won't be able to do task #1):
1. There is a wooden block on the bottom of the sign at the posted coordinates. What is the first number and the last letter? Please message or email me the answer. Go ahead and log your find. You do not have to wait for my reply.
2. At Artist Point, take a photo of you (or just your finger) "pointing" at a mountain or landmark of your choice and showing your emotion. Be creative! You can be dramatic, happy, ecstatic, etc. Post the photo with your log.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.