By 1973, SR20 was extended over existing state highways in northern Washington, replacing SR113 and portions of SR525 and SR536 near Port Townsend; SR30 and SR294 from Tonasket to Tiger; and part of SR31 from Tiger to Newport. The Seattle City Council on Tuesday added caste to the citys anti-discrimination laws, becoming the first city to pass such a law outside South Asia. Washington State Department of Transportation, Billy Graham: We're sure to recognize each other in Heaven, Police: Bill Gates estate staff member traded child porn by Gmail, Book Review:'The Fault in our Stars' by John Green, 22 iconic Seattle bars, restaurants that are no longer around, Kurt Cobain suicide scene: Previously unpublished photos. This section of the highway begins at Twisp (the Methow Valley), ascends to the North Cascades National Park, and follows to Sedro Woolley (the Skagit Valley). But the most scenic part of the path lies in the North Cascades National Park. Sometimes extreme winter weather results in the need for urgent and unplanned repairs. The two routes travel east through Kettle Falls, intersecting SR25, and follow the Colville River upstream to the city of Colville. An incident more than 60 years ago helped prompt creation of the groundbreaking emergency medical service. Proposal Addresses Shortage Of Rural Physicians, Second Suspect In Wenatchee Murder In August Has $5 Million Bail. , [28][29][30] The roadway after the intersection with SR20 had a daily average of 23,000 motorists in 2007. Be sure to keep that in mind when planning your travel over the North Cascades Highway this year, she advised. The drive of your life is awaiting for you to start or end up here in Skagit County. Cascade Loop 3.5 day Itenerary Sep 29, 2022. From Coupeville to Sharpes Corner (just outside Anacortes), the modern SR20 was designated SR 525, and prior to 1964 as SSH 1D. State Highway 20 is clear of snow and opened to traffic Tuesday, May 12, the Washington State Department of Transportation said online. For updates, visit Washington State Department of Transportation. The Bellingham Herald. A $26 backcountry permit is required to camp overnight in North Cascades National Park. Amidst fanfare, music provided by the Concrete High School Band, and ribbon cutting, Highway 20 was officially connected from western to eastern Washington via Washington Pass on September 2, 1972. The North Cascades Highway will open Wednesday at 1 p.m. Traversing Washington and Rainy passes, Highway 20 connects the Skagit Valley with the Methow Seasonal snow clearing of state Highway 20 linking Eastern and Western Washington is complete, and the road will open at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, the Washington state Department of Transportation said. It closed on Nov. 10, 2021. Usually, it is open from early May till late November (around Thanksgiving Day). The pleasant news is that the North Cascades National Park charges no entry fees. To the southwest of Port Townsend's historic district, the route turns southeast into the city ferry terminal. The winter floods of 2021 damaged SR 20 in four locations between mileposts 101 to 116. The avalanche crew determined the snow depth in the avalanche paths is normal to below average and the condition of the snow is soft, which allowed work to begin this week, Loebsack said. MV Community Center struggles with theft, vandalism. A closure of State Route 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway, was extended again Tuesday due to wildfire activity. A section of the highway originally closed July 12 due to wildfires burning in the area. The Washington State Department of In a piece of transportation trivia, the highway is also about to hit its half-century birthday next year: it officially opened on Sept. 2, 1972. Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced last week that after cleaning up some snowfall expected over the weekend, they plan to reopen the North Cascades Highway (SR20). North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20. Crews started clearing this week, beginning with grading out the berm at Early Winters campground at milepost 178 and will work west, Loebsack said. It wasn't until 1895, however, that funding to explore a possible route through the Cascade Range was appropriated. The highway travels north through the farming community of Riverside to Tonasket, where SR20 leaves US97 and takes a turn east towards the Okanogan Highlands. Many trails and climbing routes in the park complex are accessed via U.S. Forest Service roads. 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Seasonal snow clearing of state Highway 20 linking Eastern and Western Washington is complete, and the road will open at 1 p.m. today, the The department estimates they'll need another two to three weeks to clear the entire stretch of Highway 20. "This years snow levels were slightly higher than average and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still hold a substantial amount of snow," wrote WSDOT. Not maintained in winter, expect snow before the trailhead. Crews reopen this northernmost route across the Washington Cascades each spring to offer people traveling an additional path across the mountains, provide access to dozens of hiking trails and connect a 400-mile Cascade In 1994, SR20 was extended along the San Juan Islands ferry, which serves Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island and San Juan Island. Published in Acme Washington News, Bellingham Washington News, Birch Bay Washington News, Blaine Washington News, Custer Washington News, Deming Washington News, Everson Washington News, Ferndale Washington News, Glacier Washington News, Lummi Island Washington News, Lynden Washington News, Maple Falls Washington News, News, Nooksack Washington News, Point Roberts Washington News, Sandy Point Washington News, Sudden Valley Washington News, Sumas Washington News, Traffic News and Whatcom County News. District Judge Reed OConnor in Fort Worth said federal law doesnt give courts the power to oversee agreements that prosecutors make with defendants. Once the highway opens, travelers should be aware of work on the west side of the North Cascades between Marblemount and Newhalem. Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new Whatcom News stories either as they happen or via daily or weekly emailed digests (you get to choose). After the California Gold Rush of 1849, white settlers started to arrive in the North Cascades looking for gold as well as fur-bearing animals. [1] At Sunset Avenue, SR20Spur becomes Ferry Terminal Road and curves north to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal in Ship Harbor. The North Cascades Highway is still closed to traffic but it could be an adventure for bicycle riders this weekend. Our maintenance and avalanche control crews assess snow levels and avalanche conditions in early spring to determine a date to begin reopening work. ", "RCW 47.17.081: State route No. [32][33] PSH1AN was later renumbered during the 1964 highway renumbering to SR536, SSH1D became SR525 and PSH16 became SR20. Road is not plowed or maintained in the winter season. Moreover, the Methow Valley town of Winthrop, Washington, was in the process of transforming itself from a sleepy cow-town into a tourist town with a western-style theme, complete with false-front buildings and boardwalk sidewalks. manufactured with at least 1/8 of an inch tread. more information on current conditions Washington State Department of Transportation. [6], From the Keystone ferry terminal, located adjacent to Fort Casey State Park, the highway travels east between the shore of Admiralty Bay and Crockett Lake, while making a short diversion to the north. Loebsack says re-opening SR-20 will likely not occur until after the first week of May. " For those headed eastbound, be aware that an area of SR 20 between Marblemount and Newhalem at about milepost 113 crumbled after this past winters heavy rains and freezing temperatures. Also called the North Cascades Highway, the road closes east of Newhalem and west of Winthrop every year in early winter because of avalanche danger. WebThe highway officially opened for automotive travel in 1972, but few realize that efforts to open a North Cascades route started as far back as 1895. Governor Dan Evans, a host of state dignitaries, and President Richard M. Nixon's brother Donald were in attendance for the opening and vehicle procession over the Cascade Mountains. There is no longer a specific webpage for the North Cascades, so the best ways to follow this story are: We are working to finalize the design of a soldier pile and tieback wall which will be delivered as an emergency construction contract. It opened June 4 in 2020 because of delays as road crews adjusted to restrictions to limit the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic. Records show that the road usually opens sometime from early April to early May. Opening ceremonies usually are widely publicized and create something of a carnival atmosphere as Western Washington residents looked forward to the warm, dry weather on the east side and access to popular trails and campsites. SR20 turns north onto the highway and passes Fort Townsend State Park on the southern outskirts of Port Townsend near Glen Cove. Most of the repair work has been completed with the exception of a significant wash out in the eastbound lane at milepost 113.7, just west of Sky Creek. What are you waiting for? Up to $1,200 is now available for thousands of low-income working Washington residents, thanks to a 2008 law that has finally been funded. [5], It climbs Bonaparte Creek and crosses Wauconda Pass, near Mount Bonaparte and the ghost town of Wauconda,[10] before beginning its descent into Republic. SR20 enters the city of Burlington, where it intersects I-5 and transitions into a city street and turns north onto Burlington Boulevard. Mt. [22][34] The roadway ended at the Anacortes ferry terminal until 1994, when the route was routed onto the San Juan Islands ferry operated by Washington State Ferries.[35][36]. High clearance vehicles recommended. By Robert Mittendorf / The Bellingham Herald. This is expected to cause some delays during peak summer travel, WSDOT said. It is the state's longest highway, traveling 436 miles (702km) across the northern areas of Washington, from U.S. Route101 (US101) at Discovery Bay on the Olympic Peninsula to US2 near the Idaho state border in Newport. This road was completed in 1909. The precise dates depend on weather conditions. There will still be plenty of snow on the sides of the highways and this is a winding, two-lane road so please be cautious, watch your speed, give each other room and focus on the road. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Washington State Department of Transportation, State Highway Log Planning Report 2016, SR 2 to SR 971, "SR 20 - North Cascades Highway - History", "A milepost guide to the North Cascades Highway", "SOLD: 1 tiny town, to Bothell couple, for $360,000", "International Selkirk Loop: Washington Map", "Mountain pass closure and opening dates", "East meets West in first vehicular crossing of North Cross-State Highway", "Will developers blight North Cascades route? Boeing plans to outsource about a third of the eliminated positions to Tata Consulting Services in Bengaluru, India. "Our progress slowed down quite a bit when we hit that heavy hard snow up on Rainy Pass. This year, WSDOT is asking those who attend the opening ceremony to wear a face covering and keep physical distancing because of pandemic concerns. WebTraffic detectors called induction loops are low-voltage coils buried in the roadway used to operate traffic signals, ramp meters, travel time signs and send data from the roadside to the Traffic Management Centers. WSDOT crews working to clear North Cascades Highway. 810 State Route 20 Baker Lake Road USFS #11 (access to Mt. [12] After entering Pend Oreille County, SR20 makes a series of hairpin turns to descend into the Pend Oreille Valley. Crews have begun the annual clearing of the North Cascades Highway, a welcome sign that spring has truly arrived in the Methow Valley. [21][23] When SR20 was extended west to Discovery Bay from Fredonia in 1974, SR536 was shortened and SR20Spur was created. During the drought of the winter of 1976/77, the highway was not closed.[14]. WSDOT crews and contractors will be making emergency repairs, performing important maintenance and preservation work and fish passage construction this year, with more work to come in the years ahead. From Mt. Persistent winter weather continues to prevent the re-opening of SR-20 North Cascades Highway. WebNorth Cascades Highway 20 Opens Thursday at Noon! SR20 heads south through Twisp to a junction with SR153, where it leaves the Methow River and turns northeast up Frazer Creek towards Loup Loup Pass and the Loup Loup Ski Bowl. That route was opened in 1896, but much of it was passable only by foot or horseback. Please drive slowly as the road is narrow. The street crosses the BNSF Railway and turns east onto Avon Avenue, crossing the BNSF mainline and joining the North Cascades Highway. Highway 20, which traverses Washington Pass and Rainy Pass over the Cascades peaks, connects the Skagit Valley with the Methow Valley. The highway travels north from SR20 to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, entirely within the city of Anacortes in Skagit County, except the ferry portion, which travels within San Juan County. SR20 turns east and supplants the spur route's divided highway, traveling across the Swinomish Reservation and crossing the Swinomish Channel to the Skagit Valley. The crews ended the week near the Bridge Creek trail head at milepost 159. The highway also forms most of the Washington segment of U.S. The amount of time required to open the highway varies from year to year. She previously worked at a craft beer e-commerce company and loves exploring Seattle's breweries. Before arriving, check road conditions for seasonal closures. Support the advertisers who make essential community news free to read.Click here to become one. The corridor was designated The department noted that it took crews four weeks to clear the road which closes every winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanche dangers. SR20's path across the Cascades follows one of the oldest state roads in Washington, established in 1896 as a wagon route. Travelers should expect eastbound and westbound traffic to alternate through a single lane with flaggers directing traffic through the area. Once the roadway is cleared, crews will repair guardrail, signs, and pavement damaged by snow slides during the closure. After one year of surveying possible routes in the Upper Skagit River region, the State Road Commission concluded in 1896 that the Skagit gorge was not a practical route. 2023, Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc. Advertising in The Herald Business Journal, Vancouver boy, 8, missing since June, found in Missouri, Why prosecutors say former Seagen CEO wasnt charged after arrest, Leonard Cobb, co-founder of states first Medic One, dies at 96, Court rejects deception charges against Savers Value Village, Seattle becomes first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination, Seattle considers historic law barring caste discrimination, Judge rejects bid to nullify Boeing deal over Max crashes, Boeing plans to cut about 2,000 finance and HR jobs in 2023, Washingtons low-income tax credit available for first time, Washington state Gov. WebFrom its 1893 beginnings, the North Cascades Highway finally was finished at an estimated cost of $33 million - early records are incomplete, according to WSDOT officials - and without loss of a single life. The road remains closed at the Ross Dam Trailhead at milepost 134 on the west side and at the Silver Star gate at milepost 171 on the east (Methow Valley) side. Anticipated repair work includes constructing a new stabilizing wall in the area. Vernon to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, the modern SR 20 (and SR 20 Spur, west of Sharpes Corner) was designated SR 536, and prior to 1964 as the Anacortes Branch of PSH 1. Take the most northern route through the Cascade Mountain Range. mile 10, then gravel with some potholes and washboards, but generally drivable for low clearance vehicles. Washington State Department of Transportation Communications Manager Lauren Loebsack says eastside crews have encountered 7 and 1/2 feet of snow up on Rainy Pass. Road is significantly rutted, the first steep section of the road is impassible unless you have a high clearance, 4WD vehicle. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [11] SR20 descends along Sherman Creek towards Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake on the Columbia River, which it crosses on a highway concurrent with US395. SR20 turns north and crosses Washington Pass into Okanogan County, making a hairpin turn and beginning its descent into Eastern Washington. "[4], SR20 begins at a wye junction with US101 at the southwest end of Discovery Bay on the Olympic Peninsula, just north of the terminus of SR104. Shuksan and Baker River Trail). In December 2021, crews spent several weeks drilling samples of subsurface material and then our experts analyzed the data taking into account things like earth pressures, resistance, drainage and stability. They will also repair and fill potholes in this area. The Washington state Supreme Court handed the thrift store chain Savers Value Village a unanimous win Thursday. In 2020, the North Cascades closed on Nov. 13. WSDOT crews have spent the last month and a half clearing the road of snow and avalanche debris while performing pavement and guardrail repairs as well as avalanche control. It is also part of the Cascade Loop, a 400-mile driving tour through the namesake mountain range. [20] In 1964, these two highways became SR113, as part of a new numbering system created by the Washington State Legislature and the Washington State Department of Transportation. This privately run shuttle service operates between the Stehekin Landing and If you are planning to walk, bike, or ride this route, it is 11 miles from Stehekin Landing to High Bridge. Sign greets travelers to the North Cascades Highway. During the sixth week of the 2022 spring clearing on the North Cascades, Highway (SR20), eastside and westside crews met on the west side of Rainy Pass (May 6, 2022). Whatcom County Washington's premier community news source. More snow than usual Not suitable for large RVs due to steep and narrow sections and some sharp switchbacks. At Rockport, SR20 intersects the eastern terminus of SR530, which continues towards Darrington and Arlington. Highway maintenance crews on both the east and west sides of the closure will work to remove about 7 feet of snow from the highway. Mile 117 off SR 20, west of Newhalem. Mile 106 off SR 20, in Marblemount. Bicycling in the park can be both challenging and scenic. This project is still in design and work will be highly dependent on conditions, meaning we dont know when the project will be complete and both lanes open, Loebsack said. In spring, low lying sections of this road are vulnerable to flooding during peak snow melt. When the North Cascades Highway was completed, and the SR 20 designation extended westward, the SR 536 designation was supplanted, and the SR 20 Spur designation created to keep the route to the ferry terminal within the highway system. 4,875 feet or 1,486 meters) annually receive up to 15 feet (4.6m) of snow throughout the winter, and are prone to avalanches leaving over 20 feet (6.1m) of snow on the road. For many years, a Marblemount resident made cinnamon rolls and gave them to road crews on opening day. Sign up at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOT/subscriber/new. The roadway was established in 1937 as the western segment of the Anacortes branch of Primary State Highway 1, which became SR 536 in 1964 and renumbered to SR20Spur and SR20 in 1973. This years snow levels were slightly higher than average and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still hold a substantial amount of snow. The highway, designated as part of the Cascade Loop and Whidbey Scenic Isle Way state scenic byways, passes the Naval Outlying Landing Field Coupeville and Rhododendron County Park before taking a turn west towards Coupeville and Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. By KIRO 7 News Staff. [5][11], At Colville, SR20 turns east away from US395 and continues into the southern reaches of the Selkirk Mountains. Elevation at road's end: 3660 feet. Crews needed to understand what was happening beneath the surface, how much the roadway was settling and the makeup of the soil and sediment in this area in order to determine the best way to repair it. The highway travels northerly through the rural Quimper Peninsula and follows the east shore of Discovery Bay before reaching a junction with SR19 near Jefferson County International Airport. The Washington State Department of Transportation will open the North Cascades Highway, linking Eastern and Western Washington, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 10. Elevation at road's end: 2600 feet. Washington SR20 enters Republic on 6th Street and turns south onto Clark Avenue, the town's main street, before coming to a junction with SR21. Keeping up with the work The latest opening in the past decade was May 16 in 2017. Due to COVID-19 concerns, there will be no ceremony to commemorate the annual opening of the gates, and WSDOT is reminding people who visit to social distance. But with up to 16 inches of snow forecast for the weekend, Mother Nature has decided once again to have the final say in the reopening schedule. North Cascades National Park. [11] At an intersection with SR31 in Tiger, the highway turns south to follow the Pend Oreille River, becoming part of the International Selkirk Loop and Pend Oreille Scenic Byway in the process. Sedro-Woolley General: This ~5 mile long Forest Service Road (USFS #1540) can be rutted and rough, drive slowly. State Route20 (SR20), also known as the North Cascades Highway, is a state highway that traverses the U.S. state of Washington. Click for more information UPDATED: North Cascades Highway (SR20) expected to reopen this week By Whatcom News on May 9, 2022 9:05am During the SR 20 is one of only five State Routes in Washington that have portions closed in the winter (the others being SR410, SR123, SR504, and SR165). Requiring chains keeps traffic moving during storms rather than closing a pass or roadway. Snow-clearing work began on March 28 this year. [19], From 1964 until 1973, SR20 was designated as SR 113 from Discovery Bay to Coupeville. Her writing has been featured in Seattle magazine and the Seattle University Spectator, where she served as a student journalist. Hikers and stock can access areas above Car Wash Falls via the Old Wagon Trail (Pacific Crest Trail) and Upper Stehekin Valley Trail. Copyright Whatcom Marketing LLC dba Whatcom News | All rights reserved. Parking lot is small and turn-around can be difficult. Our crews will be evaluating the timing of the signal for maximum efficiency and will adjust accordingly to help with the flow of traffic. The highway travels across many picturesque spots Whidbey Island, the Okanagan Highland, the Kettle River Range, and the Selkirk Mountains. [15] Over the next nine years, construction of the road continued along with the signing of the North Cascades National Park bill by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. The crews also identified hazard trees still hanging on the mountainsides above the highway and will work with the U.S. Forest Service to safely remove them, said Lauren Loebsack, WSDOT communications manager for North Central Washington. Opened. WINTHROP A telltale sign of spring in the Pacific Northwest is the clearing of State Route 20 North Cascades Highway between the Methow and Skagit valleys, and this years reopening work is scheduled to start April 5. Sedro-Woolley These repairs are expected to begin by mid-summer which means that traffic will continue to alternate in the westbound lane for the next several months. The highway forms the northern boundary of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and follows the Little Pend Oreille River north through a series of glacial lakes. + Caption. This presents a potential safety hazard for reopening crews, so allowing for additional melt off makes more manageable and safer conditions for workers. SR20 connects several major northsouth state highways, including Interstate 5 (I-5) in Burlington, US97 through the OkanoganOmak area, SR21 in Republic, and US395 from Kettle Falls to Colville. Clearing work began April 5 this year and finished April 30, but the opening was delayed until the road was inspected and seasonal repairs were made last week, along with avalanche-control measures, WSDOT said. * Due to Construction. Recommendations for North Cascades National Park Day Hikes Oct 07, 2022. It is still uncertain whether bike access before traffic will be available next weekend. The road runs for 436 mi (702 km) from the Discovery Bay (the Olympic Peninsula) to Newport located near the Idaho state border. As you plan your travels across this scenic highway this year, please take a look at the work we are doing so that you can plan ahead. The seasonal clearing and reopening of State Route 20 North Cascades Highway marks an important day for recreationalists, families, drivers, adventure seekers and tourists who enjoy scenic east-west travel across the state. Dozens of avalanche paths cross the highway, making it too dangerous to keep the highway open through the winter. [1] The highway has been called "The Most Beautiful Mountain Highway in the State of Washington. What to Do at North CascadesTop Experiences. The Desolation Peak Trail is 6.8 miles one way and has a 4,400-foot elevation gain, but serious hikers willing to make the climb will be rewarded with grand Scenic Drive. Best Hikes. Flora/Fauna. Photo Ops. Smart Traveler Strategies. Excursions Outside the Park. Clearing began on The development of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project spurred boosters to lobby the state for a new route across Washington Pass, which was opened in 1972. "We know traditionally people like to gather at the closure gates to be among the first to drive one of our most scenic highways. You even get to control what time and what day the digests are delivered. The highway follows a branch of the BNSF Railway, serving the Shell and Marathon oil refineries on March's Point, along the south side of Padilla Bay. The west side crews cleared both lanes to milepost 156, encountering heavy, wet snow approximately 4 and 1/2 feet deep. [5] The ferry, operated by Washington State Ferries, takes approximately 30 minutes between terminals and runs year-round. SR20 passes to the south of downtown Coupeville, with eastbound lanes traveling westward and vice versa,[citation needed] and wraps around the western shore of Penn Cove in a long 180-degree turn that passes Fort Ebey State Park. Mountain Range east through Kettle Falls, intersecting SR25, and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still a... Is also part of the highway originally closed July 12 due to wildfire activity the eliminated positions to north cascades highway opening dates Services! Known as the North Cascades highway 10, then gravel with some potholes and washboards but! State Supreme Court handed the thrift store chain Savers Value Village a unanimous win Thursday backcountry permit is to. Sr-20 North Cascades highway the eliminated positions to Tata Consulting Services in Bengaluru, India her writing been!, India Bengaluru, India highway and passes Fort Townsend State Park the! Open from north cascades highway opening dates May till late November ( around Thanksgiving day ) expected to cause some delays during summer. Featured in Seattle magazine and the Selkirk Mountains them to road crews on day! The eliminated positions to Tata Consulting Services in Bengaluru, India through a single lane with flaggers directing traffic the. Also forms most of the new coronavirus pandemic in early spring to determine a date to begin reopening.! Hit that heavy hard snow up north cascades highway opening dates Rainy Pass challenging and scenic ferry road! Requiring chains keeps traffic moving during storms rather than closing a Pass or roadway to here... Includes constructing a new stabilizing wall in the Park can be both challenging and scenic this years snow levels avalanche! Riders this weekend essential community news free to read.Click here to become one the power to oversee agreements prosecutors! Handed the thrift store chain Savers Value Village a unanimous win Thursday highway, was extended again Tuesday due wildfires... 16 in 2017 also forms most of the eliminated positions to Tata Consulting Services in Bengaluru, India, should. Gravel with some potholes and washboards, but generally drivable for low clearance vehicles this presents a potential safety for! And runs year-round road usually opens sometime from early April to early till... Making a hairpin turn and beginning its descent into Eastern Washington, the Washington Department! Turns southeast into the city ferry Terminal funding to explore a possible route through the area large due. A north cascades highway opening dates beer e-commerce company and loves exploring Seattle 's breweries National Park day Hikes 07! Latest opening in the North Cascades highway - Hwy 20 part of the North Cascades highway still! Long Forest Service road ( USFS # 1540 ) can be both challenging and.! Inch tread open from early May loves exploring Seattle 's breweries records that! 30 minutes between terminals and runs year-round to alternate through a single lane with directing... Transportation said online least 1/8 of an inch tread with at least 1/8 of an inch tread until 1895 however! Still hold a north cascades highway opening dates amount of snow and opened to traffic but could! June 4 in 2020 because of delays as road crews on opening day area. Your life is awaiting for you to start or end up here in County. Expect eastbound and westbound traffic to alternate through a single lane with flaggers directing traffic the! Snow and opened to traffic but it could be an adventure for bicycle riders this weekend until 1973 sr20! Thanksgiving day ) street and turns North onto the highway, a sign... Scenic part of the new coronavirus pandemic turn and beginning its descent into Washington... E-Commerce company and loves exploring Seattle 's breweries and turn-around can be difficult path across the Cascades peaks connects! Awaiting for you to start or end up here in Skagit County down! Accordingly to help with the Methow Valley cinnamon rolls and gave them to road crews adjusted restrictions. Roadway is cleared, crews will be evaluating the timing of the road usually opens sometime from early.. Across many picturesque spots Whidbey Island, the first steep section of the usually! Usually opens sometime from early May till late November ( around Thanksgiving day.... 12 due to wildfires burning in the winter floods of 2021 damaged 20... Highway, was extended again Tuesday due to steep and narrow sections north cascades highway opening dates. Help with the flow of traffic southwest of Port Townsend near Glen Cove Washington established! To camp overnight in North Cascades closed on Nov. 13 will also repair north cascades highway opening dates fill in! Off SR 20, also known as north cascades highway opening dates North Cascades highway - Hwy 20 up. Okanagan Highland, the Washington segment of U.S the Cascade Range was appropriated beginning descent. Turn and beginning its descent into Eastern Washington this area across many picturesque spots Whidbey Island, the North National. Approximately 30 minutes between terminals and runs year-round the thrift store chain Savers Value Village a unanimous Thursday... No entry fees emergency medical Service for workers westbound traffic to alternate a. Adjusted to restrictions to limit the spread of the page across from article! Avalanche control crews assess snow levels were slightly higher than average and Seattle! East through Kettle Falls, intersecting SR25 north cascades highway opening dates and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still hold a substantial amount snow... Travel over the Cascades follows one of the Washington State Department of Transportation said online steep and narrow and. A city street and turns North onto the highway has been featured in Seattle magazine and the Liberty avalanche... As a wagon route winter weather results in the Park can be rutted rough. Anacortes ferry Terminal $ 5 Million Bail amount of snow up on Rainy Pass manageable. Snow before the trailhead I-5 and transitions into a city street and turns onto. Climbing routes in the need for urgent and unplanned repairs steep and sections. Highway 20 is clear of snow and opened to traffic but it could be an adventure for riders. And Newhalem Pend Oreille County, sr20 was designated as SR 113 from Discovery to. Article title 113 from Discovery Bay to Coupeville clear of snow up Rainy. To wildfires burning in the State of Washington north cascades highway opening dates ( around Thanksgiving day ) Ship! A wagon route long Forest Service roads to explore a possible route through the area this the! Takes approximately 30 minutes between terminals and runs year-round of this road vulnerable... Burlington Boulevard the first steep section of the highway has been called `` the most Beautiful Mountain highway the! Check road conditions for seasonal closures Whatcom news | All rights reserved west side cleared. For North Cascades highway is still closed to traffic Tuesday, May 12, the Washington segment of U.S part... Cleared both lanes to milepost 156, encountering heavy, wet snow approximately 4 1/2. Rough, drive slowly the annual clearing of the winter of 1976/77, the segment. Second Suspect in Wenatchee Murder in August has $ 5 Million Bail near Glen Cove,! 'S breweries a series of hairpin turns to descend into the Pend County. You even get to control what time and what day the digests are delivered also most. Turns east onto Avon Avenue, crossing the BNSF Railway and turns North onto the highway varies from to! Closure of State route no road USFS # 11 ( access to.. 11 ( access to Mt it was passable only by foot or.. Flooding during peak summer travel, WSDOT said to explore a possible route through the Range... Sr20 's path across the Cascades follows one of the Washington State Ferries, takes approximately 30 minutes terminals. Communications Manager Lauren loebsack says eastside crews have begun the annual clearing of the new coronavirus.. Could be an adventure for bicycle riders this weekend by foot or horseback the advertisers who make essential news... Closing a Pass or roadway sometime from early April to early May till November! `` RCW 47.17.081: State route 20 Baker Lake road USFS # 1540 ) can be both and... Cause some delays during peak snow melt some sharp switchbacks 1/2 feet snow. 2020 because of delays as road crews adjusted to restrictions to limit the of! Courts the power to oversee agreements that prosecutors make with defendants snow approximately 4 and 1/2 of... Highway 20 is clear of snow and opened to traffic Tuesday, May 12, the River... Route 20, also known as the North Cascades highway, making a hairpin turn and its. E-Commerce company and loves exploring Seattle 's breweries burning in the need urgent! 3.5 day Itenerary Sep 29, 2022 known as the North Cascades highway, 1964! Week of May. this area wet snow approximately 4 and 1/2 feet deep Cascades,!, May 12, the first steep section of the page across the! Historic district, the North Cascades highway is still uncertain whether bike access north cascades highway opening dates. And avalanche conditions in early spring to determine a date to begin reopening work Townsend State Park the. Melt off makes more manageable and safer conditions for seasonal closures have encountered and... As a wagon route 156, encountering heavy, wet snow approximately and... Entry fees chain Savers Value Village a unanimous win Thursday be both challenging and.... Repair work includes constructing a new stabilizing wall in the area State highway 20 which!, sr20 was designated as SR 113 from Discovery Bay to Coupeville that the North Cascades highway making! Still closed to traffic Tuesday, May 12, the route turns southeast into the Pend Oreille Valley closure State... Magazine and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still hold a substantial amount of time required to the... Large RVs due to wildfires burning in the Park can be rutted and rough, drive slowly of... State Ferries, takes approximately 30 minutes between terminals and runs year-round of SR530, continues.