Tucked Beneath a Glacier-Covered Volcano, This Secret Corner of the Cascades Is Worth the Drive

Mt. Baker Highway runs east from Bellingham, Washington, through farmland, then river valley, then old-growth forest, ending beneath a 10,781-foot volcano. The best stops are strung along the road itself: a diners, breweries, and a general stores all serve as fill-ups for adventure seekers. There’s no bad time to visit, but the crowds really thin in fall and the high country is in its last stretch before snow closes the road. Here’s what to do in this quaint corner of the Cascades.

What to Do

Nature is the name of the game around Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Hiking, birdwatching, wildflower viewing, and of course winter sports at Mount Baker Ski Area are top tier. The big payoff at the end of the highway is Artist Point. In summer the road ends near milepost 58 with views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. It’s worth noting that the final stretch of SR 542 closes each year with the first significant snowfall, so check WSDOT before you drive up. Once it closes, you can still walk the road in fall and winter, and in deep winter it is a marvelous snowshoe destination.

A short stop about half a mile before Heather Meadows, you’ll find the appropriately named Picture Lake with Mt. Shuksan behind it. It’s claimed to be one of the most photographed landscapes in the country, and on our recent shoot for Filson, we got to see why. During late summer golden hour, the mountains reflect into the lake below, and the water is lined with vibrant wildflowers. For a challenging hike, hit Chain Lakes Loop Trailhead, a 6.5-mile loop with roughly 1,800 feet of elevation gain, starting in the Heather Meadows area, with plenty of lakeside picnic spots. 

An easy add-on is Nooksack Falls, with no pass required. From Glacier, head east on SR 542 for 7.4 miles, turn right on Forest Road 33, and drive 0.6 mile. A 0.1-mile round-trip path leads to a fenced overlook above the falls on the North Fork Nooksack River. Save your directions offline, since cell service and map apps are unreliable out here.

Photographer Thomas J. Story at Picture Lake by Krista Simmons

Where to Eat and Drink

ACME Diner is known for their simple breakfasts, which it thankfully serves until a very pleasant hour of 2 p.m., and pies made by the owner’s aunt and cousin, sold by the slice. Wake ‘N Bakery is a welcome roadside coffee shop on the highway known for breakfast burritos, baked goods, and Magic Bars. It’s the only proper coffee shop in the area, so get there early and prepare for a line on weekends. Graham’s Store and Restaurant in Deming is located in a building that’s been around since 1906, and the bar definitely has that vintage small town vibe. (The owners also operate the skiers favorite Chair 9, a pizzeria and sports bar that also has a game room.)

Gunners Tex Mex BBQ in Glacier has shockingly good smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, burnt ends with excellent sides like cheesy elote and mac and cheese. North Fork Brewery in Deming is a rustic brewery and pizzeria that has been a staple after-hike stop in the area for more than 20 years. And Rifugio’s Country Italian Cuisine, also in Deming, has Sicilian-leaning, farm-to-table Italian in a small dining room, with a sculpture garden out back. In the Bow area, you’ll find a charming garden courtyard, a wide variety of artisan cheese selections, and beloved grilled cheese sandwiches at Slough Food. If you’re up for a quick snack Auntie Leah’s Frybread does the indigenous staple well right on the Deming corridor. 

Andy Porter / U.S. Forest Service

Where to Stay

Most overnight options sit in Glacier, within about half an hour of the mountain, and include cabins, B&Bs, cottages, and chalets. There are also Forest Service campgrounds and dispersed camping are also available in the warmer months if you can score a res. SnoWater and Blue T Lodge are more traditional lodges, and though pared back, you’re here for nature not to hang around a resort.