North Cascades Highway to remain closed for winter

WINTHROP – With nearly 30 inches of snowfall over the weekend, SR 20 North Cascades Highway will remain closed for the winter between Ross Lake Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Early Winters gate (milepost 178).

The route was closed between milepost 134 and 171 for potential avalanche danger on Thursday, Nov. 3. Throughout the weekend, the North Cascades and the area surrounding the eastern slopes were repeatedly hit with snow and rain.  Though the immediate avalanche danger is now low, conditions are likely to change. Maintaining the closure now will allow crews to focus time and resources on the communities east of the mountain passes that have received up to 2 feet of snow in places.

A snow berm has been built at the Early Winters gate at milepost 178 while crews focus on clearing routes on the east side of the mountain passes. Depending on resources and conditions, the road may be reopened to Silver Star gate for sno park access prior to the holidays.

Spring clearing work is typically assessed in March and the seasonal reopening can be as late as June, depending on conditions. Updates on the spring clearing work will be shared in the North Cascades newsletter, the real time travel map, and on Twitter at @WSDOT_East.

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Highway 20 - North Cascades Highway/Washington Pass

PLEASE REMEMBER that Highway 20/North Cascades Pass is closed during winter months. We get regular updates from Washington State Department of Transportation when they begin clearing the roadway and planning for reopening, but we want to make sure Loop travelers are prepared for re-routing if you are trying to get from the Methow Valley to the Skagit Valley (or vice-versa). You can sign up for alerts to get updates through WSDOT, and you can see historic Open and Closure dates here. And of course, if you follow our Social Media platforms, you'll know the day pass opens!

Winter Closure Information

The North Cascades receive abundant snowfall each year, causing Highway 20 to close for the season in late fall/early winter, and reopen in spring, depending on conditions. The closure is from milepost 171 (west of Mazama) to milepost 134 (east of Diablo). This means our Loop becomes more of a crescent, and travelers should schedule accordingly.

Learn more at wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountainpasses/North-Cascade-Hwy

Winter Recreation

Interested in downhill skiing or snowboarding? Take your pick from Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, Echo Valley Ski Area, Loup Loup Ski Bowl, and Mount Baker Ski Area, all easily accessible from the highway.

The Cascade Loop also offers miles of groomed Nordic ski trails! Choose from Plain Valley Nordic Ski Trails, Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Trails, and Methow Trails, as well as several locations in Leavenworth managed by Leavenworth Winter Sports Club.

And for a slower experience -- Plan for a family fun sleigh ride at Sun Mountain Lodge,
or visit a Reindeer Farm in Leavenworth.

For the latest updates, see the department of transportation social media feeds:

https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT

https://twitter.com/WSDOT_East