An intravascular guidewire having an articulating distal section for improved maneuverability beyond a lesion or other protrusion within a body lumen. An elongated core wire having an actuatable stop disposed thereon is adapted to have a reduced profile in a first position, and an enlarged profile in a second position. The actuatable stop can be adapted to expand by any number of means, including a spring coil, a polymeric tube or a mesh sleeve. In one particular embodiment, the actuatable stop comprises a distal section of a tubular member having a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings adapted to permit a plurality of struts disposed therebetween to expand in an outward direction when compressed axially.