Accessing the Cascade Loop

• There are a few ways one can get around the Cascade Loop. Check out all of the options and choose what is right for you. Look for information about what type of air travel is right for you: regional air service such as Pangborn Memorial Airport, Paine Field Passenger Terminal or Sea-Tac International for starters. The Map inside the Cascade Loop Travel Guide covers these areas, but if you will be traveling outside our footprint and need a map of other portions of the state, check out this link: https://wsdot.wa.gov/Publications/HighwayMap/view.htm

Emergencies

• Nobody plans to have a medical emergency when they're on vacation BUT just in case, it's a good idea to know exactly how to get help. Need an ambulance? Dial 911! Need to take yourself in to seek care for an illness or non-emergency injury? Consult this list of hospitals and medical care facilities around the Cascade Loop.

Permits & Passes

• A lot of Cascade Loop travelers come visit because of the copious amount of hiking, climbing, fishing, rafting, and riding opportunities there are all the way around the byway. Make sure to do your homework though and have your permits and passes in-hand for your trip. Getting a ticket is NOT the souvenir you want to take home!

Phone Service & Cell Reception

• Because the Cascade Loop is 440-miles long and crosses all manner of terrain, you might very well find yourself out of reception on occasion. Plan for black-out zones. While there are few coin operated phone booths left, in a pinch SOMEONE will no doubt have a land line you can use in an emergency.

Roadway Conditions & Travel Alerts

• One of the reasons road trippers love the Cascade Loop is because the roads are in such great condition. The reason for that though is because the Washington State Department of Transportation is pretty darned diligent about maintaining the roadways. We like this because we like safe roads. We go crazy though because when we have construction on the roads, we experience slowdowns and stops. This is no fun when you didn't plan for it. It isn't too bad when it's on your radar and you have plenty of time built in to your schedule and you have new podcasts and/or music to listen to. Check with the WSDOT regularly leading up to your trip to ensure the smoothest itinerary possible.

Electric Vehicle Charging

• The Cascade Loop is the perfect road trip to really get the most of your electric vehicle investment -- we have amazing views, activities, great roads and importantly, copious charging options all the way around the the Loop! Take time before your trip to organize your charging plan. Where will you charge? How long? And what will you do while your vehicle charges? Click here for a list of charging stations you can choose from as you start building your charging plan.

Weather

• The Cascade Loop is BIG and it traverses wildly different landscapes throughout the state. This means we can experience wildly different weather in one day all the way around the Loop. Watch the weather forecasts as plan your trip and importantly, as the dates get closer.

Clothing

• Depending on your activities, the time of year you travel and the predicted weather, you'll need to pack your clothing and gear accordingly. Regardless of time of year, the weather varies all the way around the Loop so know you'll want a rain coat and/or umbrella for while you're on the Western side of the state. Be sure to walk through our Seasons pages to see what the Loop looks like throughout the year, and note the types of clothing you think you'll need to be comfortable during your trip. Note: layers are always a good idea!