Festival 542 ~ September 8-9, 2012 

It's the 10th Anniversary FESTIVAL 542 and its legendary Mount Baker Hill Climb.  Annually we bring thousands of healthy recreational and professional athletes to the great northwest to run, ride, be entertained...and enjoy the great outdoors and support some important organizations. Named after Washington State Route SR542, FESTIVAL 542 is an uphill ride and run with dozens of categories and rewards for every rider and runner...from themed tandems with kid trailers all the way up to current pros on feather-light bikes and day-glo spandex.

(Unfortunately, we had to postpone the RUN 542 and CROSS 542 this year due to low pre-registration numbers.  Still, we are going to put full effort into bringing those two worthy events back next year.  Please stay tuned!) 

Festival 542 will still be anchored by the RIDE 542-The Mount Baker Hill Climb, happening on Sunday, September 9th. Ride 542 is a 24.5 mile, 4300 ft. paved road cycling climb along the beautiful State Route 542. RUN 542 is quickly becoming a legendary course, traversing 8.4 miles of incredible terrain and climbing over 3500 feet through the forests and alpine beauty of the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. FESTIVAL 542 is ambitiously expanding every year to include runs, cyclocross, family events, arts, and food.  

Download Festival 542 Program Pdf

RIDE 542

 

Sunday, September 9th.  Start Waves begin at 6:30am, Competitive M/W depart at 9:30am.

24.5, 50 or 100 mile options - Recreational or Competitive.  The RIDE 542 course starts at MP33 and terminates at Artist Point, 24.5 miles and 4300 feet later. The Mt. Baker Highway, a.k.a State Route 542, is closed for this event. SR542 is a designated Scenic Route and one of the most amazing roads in the world. From Glacier, it winds up and along the Nooksack River, through giant old growth cedar groves dripping with vibrant moss, passes under calving glaciers and countless stunning peaks, past the famous Mt. Baker Ski Area to finish at the awe-inspiring Artist Point. 4,300+ ft. of climbing mark the course, with gradual grades dominating until the last 2.5 mi. when the road turns skyward. 23 miles are through undeveloped wilderness area managed by the USDA Forest Service and Washington Department of Transportation. Artist Point is the western most access to the North Cascades National Park and the view is truly awesome. RIDE 542 is a clean sponsor event and thus will post no sponsor signage beyond the start and finish areas; so it’s just you, the open road…and a few other cyclists.

RIDE 542 - MUST PRE-REGISTER. NO DAY-OF. STRICT FIELD LIMITS.

RIDE 542 follows the Mt. Baker Highway (SR542) from the town of Glacier (e. 955ft) 24.5 miles to its terminus at Artist Point (e. 5140 ft), on the border of North Cascades National Park. This is a state highway and will be closed for the ride!!! RIDE 542 has several categories to fit your ability and desire for competitiveness…or lack thereof.

RUN 542

 

Postponed until 2013 due to low pre-registration numbers.

CROSS 542