Mt. Baker Scenic Highway
Winding from the coastal town of Bellingham through active farmlands and open range, small communities and forested foothills, the Mount Baker Scenic Highway leads travelers on a varied trek to the snowy peak of the highest mountain 
in the North Cascades range. Thousands of visitors from throughout the world travel the highway through all seasons to experience the multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities and the enjoyment of nature.
Equally important is the community connection provided by the highway. State Route 542 provides a vital commercial link for businesses and residents throughout the eastern Whatcom County area. The Mt. Baker Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan (PDF) details the corridor community's initial vision for sustaining the quality of life for the residents, businesses and visitors to this historic and beautiful area.
Sites and Signs
The Mt. Baker Corridor Community in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the WCOG was awarded a National Scenic Byways grant to install signs and interpretive panels that would inform visitors about the scenic byway.
The project resulted in development of a logo for the byway and the selection of key locations to place signs to assist visitors in finding their way along the scenic highway. Visitors traveling from Bellingham will first be greeted by a gateway sign welcoming them to the byway. Trailblazer signs will guide them at key intersections with State Routes 9 and 547 and in the national forest.
Interpretive panels developed by the U.S. Forest Service at Horseshoe Bend and the rustic Miner's Cabin will help the visitor understand the rich and varied history of this region.
A map of the sign locations and the original Sites and Signs Grant Application are available.
Mt. Baker Community
Building Mt. Baker Community is a local project to link residents of the Mt. Baker Scenic Highway Corridor to each other and to the rich natural and cultural heritage that makes this place special. The result will be increased funding for projects and organizations that sustain a vital culture for the children and the future of this region.
In June of 2001, the Heritage Corridors Program forwarded 13 proposals to compete for funding. Unfortunately, Building Mt. Baker Community was not among them. However, the proposal remains strongly supported by the community. We will continue to seek funding through other grant sources.