Mountain Loop Highwayfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Right now in Mountain Loop Highway · September
- Road to Artist Point open · Jul–Oct
27days to the next fall foliage seasonusually well under way by late October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 98% chanceTonight, Tuesday, Tuesday Night
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 2:26 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
First frost usually in ~4 weeks
Oct 23Average first fall frost
Apr 16Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Darrington Rs station (14.2 mi away, 548 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest through the year
- Snoquera Falls at its bestApr–May
- Road to Artist Point openNowJul–Oct
- Subalpine wildflowers at Skyline DivideJul–Aug
- Chains required on the Mt. Baker HighwayNov–Apr
Best spots around Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Mountain Loop Highway55 miles from Granite Falls to Darrington; 14 miles gravel
- Old Monte Cristo Townsite TrailWalk from Barlow Pass among vine maples
- Mt. Baker HighwayVivid fall colors arrive as the snow level drops
- Snoquera FallsThe creek drops 400 feet off Dalles Ridge
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Mountain Loop Scenic Byway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Old Monte Cristo Townsite Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Mt. Baker Highway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Snoquera Falls Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Artist Point Trailhead (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Skyline Divide (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest yet. Statewide for Washington: color is usually well under way by late October (USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025). That's for the whole state and isn't a peak or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 27 days (usually well under way by late October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)).
Can I drive the whole Mountain Loop?
Usually only from late spring through fall: snow lingers at Barlow Pass, and the middle 14 miles are single-lane gravel.Source: US Forest Service, Mountain Loop Scenic Byway ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest?
Mountain Loop Highway: 55 miles from Granite Falls to Darrington; 14 miles gravel; Old Monte Cristo Townsite Trail: walk from Barlow Pass among vine maples; Mt. Baker Highway: vivid fall colors arrive as the snow level drops; Snoquera Falls: the creek drops 400 feet off Dalles Ridge.
What is Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest like through the year?
Snoquera Falls at its best (Apr–May), Road to Artist Point open (Jul–Oct), Chains required on the Mt. Baker Highway (Nov–Apr) and Subalpine wildflowers at Skyline Divide (Jul–Aug).