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Mile Post 1
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The interchange at Interstate 5 Exit 255 and State
Highway 542
Sunset
Square Shopping
Center, a post office, gas stations, a car
wash and an espresso stand are located insight of the interchange.
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Mile 2
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Bellingham City limits, you are headed east toward Mt. Baker
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Mile 3
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On a clear day you can see the Canadian Coastal
Range off to the
left.
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Mile 4
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Runs through the low hills east of Bellingham. The Everson Goshen road
exits to the left, heading north to intersect with State Highway 544.
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Mile 6
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Small Village of Rome.
There is the Rome Grange Hall on the south (right) side of the Highway, the
Rome Community Bible
Church on the north
(left) side, and Rome Grocery also on the north side of the highway.
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Mile 8
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On the right and slightly elevated you will find a
single story building which is the headquarters of Whatcom County
Parks. They offer a rest stop with restrooms and picnic tables with a
view of 10,781 Ft. Mt. Baker.
Phone 360-733-2900.
On the left the Smith road heads back west to Ferndale.
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Mile 9
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The highway heads down into the Nooksack River
Valley. On the
left just before the bridge over the Nooksack River
is the Cedarville Road.
The Deming Log show grounds are about 2 mi. north. The two-day log
show is held on the second full weekend in June.
Across the Nooksack
River Bridge
is Nugent’s Corner.
A small village with a bank, supermarket, espresso stand, and fuel. On
the left State Highway 9 heads north to Sumas and the Sumas Border Crossing
into Canada.
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Mile 10
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Village
of Nugents Corner
actually starts in mile nine. In mile 10 there is Bethany Chapel on
the north (left) side of the highway, it was built in 1907 and still has
Sunday services.
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Mile 11
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There are Berry Farms on both the left and right sides
of the road. U-pick and roadside stands with picked berries are
available in June (Strawberries), July (Raspberries), and August (Blue
Berries). There are also Christmas Tree farms located here.
Mt. Baker Vineyards is located on the left.
This unique local winery is a must visit attraction with wine tasting room
and gift shop. Be careful not to miss this unique family run winery.
On the north (left) side of the highway is True Log
Homes. You may see a log home being pre-assembled. You cross
over the Sumas Branch Line of the BNSF Railroad here and follow along the
line for a couple of miles.
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Mile 12
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One the right over the BNSF tracks at the McCouley Road
you can see the Mt. Baker Speedway. Races are held here on
this clay track every Friday through the summer.
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Mile
13
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The Village
of Deming.
You will see Mt Baker High School on the right along with their football
field. There is also the Nooksack River Casino (on Nooksack Tribal
Lands), a Restaurant, groceries, fuel, and other facilities.
To the left you will see Sumas Mountain
with an elevation of 3,430 ft.
To the right you will see Steward Mountain
with an elevation of 3,087 ft.
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Mile 14
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State Highway 9 exits to the south (right).
Highway 9 is a two-lane 50 MPH highway that goes through Skagit County
to the south and on to the Seattle Area.
The Nooksack
River splits into
three forks here. The South Fork runs along Highway 9 toward Skagit County. The Middle fork heads
toward Mt. Baker to the southwest. The Mt. Baker Highway
runs along the North Fork from here.
Deming Homestead
Eagle Park
The trail is located on the
North Fork of the Nooksack
River. Bald
eagles migrate here in late autumn when the salmon are thick in the river.
This is an interesting stretch of the river where Salmon habitat structures
have been installed along the riverbank. The county has installed
interesting interpretive signs along the trail.
Directions: After milepost 14, turn right on the Truck Road.
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/trails/deming_eagle.jsp
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Mile 16
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The small Village
of Welcome (mainly
a country store, espresso, & Laundromat, fire hall, senior center, and
a few residences) is located here and the Mosquito Lake Road heads south (right)
from here.
The Mosquito
Lake Road exits to the south (right). It
is a sometimes one lane (bridges) but mostly two lane road through the
foothills east of the South Fork of the Nooksack River.
The road connects to Highway 9 about 15 mi. to the south.
If you go south about 0.6 mi. you will arrive at a
bridge over the North Fork. If you
park here and look upriver you have a very good chance of seeing Bald
Eagles.
About a mile south on the Mosquito Lake
road the Canyon Lake Road
exits to the east (left). Six miles up this road you come to Canyon Lake
and the Canyon Lake Creek Community
Forest by Whatcom County Parks.
The
Old-Growth Trail is a part of
this park. Check with the County Parks Office at Mile 8 about
conditions prior to using this park. Low clearance vehicles are not
recommended on this road, as it is steep, narrow, and winding. This
road climbs from a 300 ft. elevation at the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River
on the Mosquito Lake Road
to an elevation of 2,200 ft. at the parking lot at Canyon Lake.
It is about a 2.6 mi. hike up an old roadway to the entrance of the 1.2 mi.
Old Growth Trail at an elevation of around 4,000 ft. That is a 1,800
ft. climb in 2.6 miles. The viewpoint at the end of the main trail is
another .3 mi. from where the Old-Growth trail reconnects with the main
trail and is 4,820 feet high or a 2,600 ft. climb from the lake. This
information is based on the Van Zandt Quadrangle map from the US Geological
Survey.
For more information:
www.visitoldgrowth.com/CanyonLake01.htm
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Mile 17 & 18
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The highway continues up the north side of the Nooksack River Valley
along the river.
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Mile 20
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Along the first part of the mile the road runs along the
river.
Further along you will find a restaurant on left called
the North Fork Brewery, Pizza, and wedding chapel. It opens at 4:00
PM.
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Mile 21
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On the north (left) side of the highway you will see St
Peter’s Catholic Church. Then on the south side you will see the Fish
Hatchery road that leads to Kendall Creek Hatchery, built in 1899 this
hatchery raises many varieties of salmon , steelhead, and trout. The
ponds are full of Frye from January to May and the fish spawn in October
and November. Visitors welcome.
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Mile 22
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On the left (north) side of the highway is Slide Mountain, elevation 4,884 Ft.
There is evidence of a slide on the north face of the mountain that damned
the Nooksack River in pre-historic times.
There is a private horse ranch and then Black Mountain Ranch (a campers
country club) on the south (right) side of the highway.
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Mile 23
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Village
of Kendall.
There is a country store with fuel, a convenience store with fuel, and an
elementary school here.
Photo: The Kendall
intersection with State Highway 547 on a rainy winter day. Highway
547 goes north to Sumas and the Canadian border crossing.
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Mile 24
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On the north (left) side of the highway is the Red Mountain tree farm. Behind the
tree farm looms Black
Mountain with an
elevation of 4,690 ft. On the right is the Glen at Maple Falls,
a private park.
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Mile 25
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The Village of Maple Falls. There is a
post office, The Frosty Inn & Lounge, Fuego last stop cocktails, cabin
rentals, lodging, restaurants, fuel, groceries, state liquor store and a library.
 Mt. Baker Lodging – Office-Maple Falls
7463 Mt. Baker Highway
1-800-709-SNOW (7669)
Mt. Baker Lodging – located on the right
by the Coffee Co.
The Silver
Lake Road exits to the north (left) in Maple Falls and 3.5 mi. up the road you will find
Silver
Lake County Park with cabins,
camping, RV camping, a horse camp, picnicking, and boating.
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/silverlake/silverlake.jsp
Black
Mountain Forestry Center is across from the parks entrance. www.blackmountainforestry.com
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Mile 27
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The road runs close along the river here then moves
away. Further along, during much of the growing season, you will find
the Alpenglow farm stand open with local farm products and gourmet
foodstuffs.
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Mile 28
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On the north (left) side of the highway you will find
the old Civilian Conservation Corps camp. It was open from 1933 to
1940. Since the 1950’s the Southern Baptist churches of the Puget Sound have operated a camp here.
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Mile 29
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On the south (right) side of the highway is a view point
looking out over the valley with the North Fork of the Nooksack River running through it, surrounded
by the mountains. On a clear day Mt. Baker
looms behind the head of the valley. There is an interpretive sign
located here.
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Mile 30
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On the north (left) side of the highway you will find The
Logs at Canyon Creek. This resort features several real log
cabins. These cabins give you the feel of really being in a
prospectors cabin in the woods. Further down the road is the Glacier
Springs residential community.
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Mile 31
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On the south (right) side of the highway you will find
the Mt. Baker Bed and Breakfast located 0.5 miles down a side road (Cornell Creek Road)
from the highway, they will be on the left and have a sign by their
driveway.
http://www.mtbakerbedandbreakfast.com/
They also rent
cabins in the area visit the web site at:
http://www.mtbakercabins.com
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Mile 32
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There was a restaurant located on the south (right) side
of the road. Last time we visited the location it appeared to be out
of business.
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Mile 33
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The Village
of Glacier.
This is the last community before the ascent to the Mt. Baker Ski
Area. The elevation here is 932 ft. There are restaurants,
lodging, library, post office, fire department, and a general store here.
There are two rather famous restaurants located here,
Milano’s on the north (left) side and Graham’s Saloon and Restaurant on the
south (right) side of the highway. Graham’s has been there for as
long as anyone can remember.
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Mile 34
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Gallup Creek Picnic Area is on the south (right) side of
the road. There are no restrooms. On the north (left) side of
the highway is the Glacier Creek Lodge and Cabins.
 Glacier Ranger Station: It is now called “Public Service
Center” is on the
south (right) side of the highway. Open from Memorial Day (late May)
to October, They issue hiking & mountain climbing permits and answer
your questions about the area. There are public restrooms available
at the Ranger Station. There is also an outdoor plaza with local
self-serve tourist information.
Boundary for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
National Forest and
the National Forest Scenic Byway.
On the south (right) side of the road you will find the
Snowline Inn. On the left side of the road you will find the Snowline
and Snow Water residential Communities.
Glacier Creek Road (N. F. Road No. 39) to the Mt. Baker Vista 9.5
miles to the south (right). This national forest road is usually open
and passable by cars. Spectacular view of the glacier at Mt. Baker at the end of the road.
Inquire about condition of the road and back country permits at the Ranger
Station before using the road.
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Mile 35
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There is lodging on both sides of the highway
here. There is a restaurant on the south (right) side of the highway.
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Mile 36
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Douglas
Fir Campground This
campground was built by the CCC’s in the 1930’s (their camp was at Mile
Post 28). This is a fee campground which takes reservations. US:
1-877-444-6777 International: 518-885-3639 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Washington State Sno-Park: on the
north (left) side of the highway you will find this access point for
cross-country skiing and snow mobiling. Permit required.
On the left side of the road you will find the Canyon Creek Road.
Check on condition of road and obtain backcountry permit at Glacier Ranger
Station prior to using road.
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Mile 37
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To the north (left) looms up Church Mountain,
elevation 6,315 ft. The trails up the south face of this mountain are
among the first to open for hiking every spring.
There are several viewpoints on the south (right) side
of the road to view the North Fork of the Nooksack River.
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Mile 38
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The Church
Mountain road exits
to the north (left) here. Inquire about condition of the road and
backcountry permits at the Ranger Station at mile 34 before using the road.
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Mile 40
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 Excelsior
Group Camp. This is a fee National Forest
campground for groups only. For reservations,
US: 1-877-444-6777 International:
518-885-3639 or http://www.reserveusa.com
Nooksack
Falls. Wells
Creek Road (N. F. Road No. 33) exits to the
south (right). Drive ½ mile down this road to the parking lot for the
falls. The falls drops 100 feet. The viewpoint is fenced.
There is an old power plant located here with a long wooden pipe that took
the water from the river above the falls to the power plant located below
the falls. There is a group trying to restore the power plant.
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Mile 41
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Excelsior Pass Trail Head. It is located on the
north (left) side of the road. Check with the Ranger Station for
permits and conditions before using this trail.
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Mile 43
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 North
Fork of Nooksack
River – Research
Natural Area on north (left) side of road. This 1,400 acre protected
stand of Old Growth Timber was established in 1937. It contains
Douglas Fir, Hemlock, and Western Red Cedar.
In the photo you see someone stretching out her arms at
the base of an old growth tree. The tree is on the north (left) side
of the highway about 50 feet from the road up a short trail from a small
parking turnout. Look for the tree, there are no signs.
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Mile 44
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Viewpoint on south (right) side of road with view of Nooksack River. Then a little further
you will curve away from the river and come to a stand of Old-Growth
timber.
In the photo at right you see someone stretching her
arms across the trunk of a giant ancient cedar tree.
For more information:
http://www.visitoldgrowth.com
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Mile 46
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Shuksan State Highway Maintenance Facility on the north
(left) side of highway.
Twin Lakes Road (N.F.
Road No. 3065) exits to left. Check on
condition of road and obtain backcountry permit at Glacier Ranger Station
prior to using road.
Silver Fir
Campground. Built by the CCC in the 1930’s. This is
a fee campground which takes reservations. US: 1-877-444-6777
International: 518-885-3639 or http://fap.reserveusa.com
Hannegan Pass Road (N.F.
Road No. 32). Check on condition of road
and obtain backcountry permit at Glacier Ranger Station at mile 34 prior to
using road. This area is a popular cross-country skiing area in the
winter. The Shuksan Picnic Area is also located here. There are
restrooms, picnic tables, and views of the river.
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Mile 47
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Goat
Mountain looms up to
the north (left). The grassy areas on the mountain are summer grazing
for mountain goats.
Note:
From here the road climbs steeply to the Mt. Baker
Ski Area. Often chains are required in the winter. In the next
7 miles the road will climb over 3,000 feet.
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Mile 48
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The trip up the mountain begins
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Mile 49
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To the east, on a clear day, you get a view of Mt. Sefrit with an elevation of 7,191
ft.
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Mile 50
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To the Southeast, on a clear day, you can see Mt. Shuksan with an elevation of 9,131
ft.
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Mile 52
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Mt. Baker Ski Area’s White Salmon Day Lodge is located
to the left.
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Mile 53
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Entrance to Heather Meadows, open in summer only.
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Mile 55
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 The
Firs Lodge will be on the right. This is a year round facility for
Christian groups. It is owned by the Firs Bible and Missionary
Conference in Bellingham.
The photo at the left is the Firs Lodge, in the
winter. It is the first lodge you will see as you arrive at the
upper Mt. Baker Ski Area.
The road Forks here, KEEP TO THE RIGHT
Picture Lake is probably the most photographed lake in
the region in the summer months with Mt. Shuksan
in the background and reflected in the lake. Its elevation is 4,100
ft.
The Mountaineers Lodge on the right is owned by the
Mountaineers climbing club. Open to members and the public summer and
winter.
Vista Picnic Area is on the left. There are no
restrooms.
Mt. Baker Ski Area  – Heather Meadows Day Lodge. Also located here is the Mt. Baker Ski
Area Mountain Shop. They are on the right.
The photo shows the ski lift by the Mt. Baker Lodge on a
snowy winter afternoon after it closed.
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Mile 56
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Austin Pass Picnic Area is on the right, it was built by
the CCC’s in the 1930’s in a small valley. This is a must stop to
appreciate the views.
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Mile 58
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The end of
the highway is located at Artist’s Point. The elevation is
5,140 ft. and is usually snow bound until late July. The view of the Cascade Mountains from here is breath taking.
There are several trails that lead from here. For current information
and before hiking here obtain a backcountry permit at Glacier Ranger
Station.
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