Today I received an email from a soon to be visitor asking about North Cascades Photo Tours, and as I was answering I realized that I have never written a post about Artist Point, Washington’s Best Drive!

This is an insufferable oversight on my part! Washington State has some REALLY incredible drives, Paradise in Mount Rainier NP, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP, Washington Pass along the North Cascades Highway, and the list could go on…

But Artist Point is beyond spectacular.

Have you ever seen a photograph of this mountain? This is Mount Shuksan, THE most photographed mountain in North America!

Why, you ask, is it so often photographed? Two reasons: 1. It is awesomely beautiful reflected here in Picture Lake and, 2. This exact spot where I captured this image is about 25 feet from where you park the car!

Artist Point – Washington’s Best Drive

To get to Artist Point you follow Route 542 (Mount Baker Highway) to its eastern end. From Seattle head north on I-5 to Bellingham and head east on 542. OR head north on I-5, take the North Cascades Highway (Hwy 20) East to Sedro-Woolley and then go north on Highway 9. about 20 miles north you will intersect Rte 542, head east, and there you go.

As you get further east along the Mount Baker Highway you’ll pass through the small town of Glacier. This is the last chance for food and gas. There is a National Park Visitor Center there, with maps, info, trail guides, etc if you’d like to explore more. NOTE: To camp overnight in the National Park you MUST have a permit. AND to park at Artist Point you MUST have a Northwest Forest Service Pass! These can be obtained at the Glacier Public Service Center. 

Heading east from Glacier the road starts to climb. The well-maintained paved road continues east, and passes the Mount Baker Ski Area.

There are two ski lodges (both closed in summer) and between them is the pull off for Picture Lake and that jaw dropping view of Mt Shuksan.

Depending on the winters snow pack and weather the WA DOT starts to plow out the road to Artist Point in late spring / early summer. Last year saw the earliest ever opening of the road to Artist Point, in May!

This year it looks like they will have the road open by Mid-June. There is a large parking area, rest rooms and interpretative signs pointing you in various directions.

The Artist Point area is a fantastic spot for capturing Night Sky Images. To learn more about tours and classes, here is the link.

From the parking area there is are several trails, long and short, easy and strenuous, leading towards Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan.

Here are a few pictures from the Artist Point parking area and trails! Find out how to attend a North Cascades Photo Tour here.