The road to Artist Point closed today - snow. From the DOT:
Road to Artist Point now closed to vehicle traffic
Sightseers who want to take in fall views from Artist Point this year, will need to go on foot. The scenic road to Artist Point on State Route 542 has closed to vehicle traffic for the rest of the year.
The gate on SR 542 to Artist Point closed for the season on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.
October snow and ice concerns in the North Cascades forced Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews to close the gate at the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. The annual closure of the final 2.7 miles of highway is for the safety of travelers and crews.
Artist Point season, by the numbers
This year's season of 102 days may have seemed quick but it wasn't the shortest season on record.
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- In 2008, the road was open for 81 days.
- In 2011, there was too much snow to, cost-effectively, open the highway past the Heather Meadows Visitors Center.
- In 2016, a light winter allowed a May 14 opening. The road remained open for 172 days.
- In 2017, for the first time, WSDOT crews worked seven days a week to open on Thursday, June 29.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest says nearly 12,000 people stopped by their Heather Meadows visitor center in 2017. That does not include travelers who went directly to Artist Point or visited during off-peak hours.
I remember 2011 very well - business was off over 12% that summer - Artist Point draws a lot of traffic through our little hamlet and most of those people will stop and shop given the opportunity.
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