State Route 20 North Cascades is closing for the season, earlier than expected. The Washington State Department of Transportation East said they hoped to keep the road open until Nov. 15 but it will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. WSDOT East said the warmer and wet conditions are causing higher avalanche risks. SR 20 Business was a bannered route through Okanagan and Omak that followed the former route of SR 20 and US 97, while SR 20 bypasses the cities along with US 97 along the East Bank of the Okanogan River. SR20 enters Republic on 6th Street and turns south onto Clark Avenue, the town's main street, before coming to a junction with SR21. Persistent winter weather continues to prevent the re-opening of SR-20 North Cascades Highway. This route has been replaced with SR 215. Please drive slowly as the road is narrow. 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. As the road passes across the North Cascades National Park, you have a chance to observe untouched alpine flora and watch the wildlife. The crews ended the week near the Bridge Creek trail head at milepost 159. It closed on Nov. 10, 2021. Washington The highway travels across many picturesque spots Whidbey Island, the Okanagan Highland, the Kettle River Range, and the Selkirk Mountains. Snow removal starting earlier than last year. A 140-mile stretch of the road belongs to a so-called Cascade Loop. High clearance vehicles recommended. [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. Once the highway opens, travelers should be aware of work on the west side of the North Cascades between Marblemount and Newhalem. They will also repair and fill potholes in this area. Learn about the different camping options within the park complex. 1935. Whatcom County Washington's premier community news source. Usually, it is open from early May till late November (around Thanksgiving Day). In 2020, the North Cascades closed on Nov. 13. SR 20 North Cascades Highway Preview of 2022 work, Washington State Department of Transportation, Future construction on the SR 20 corridor. Highway 20, which traverses Washington Pass and Rainy Pass over the Cascades peaks, connects the Skagit Valley with the Methow Valley. Baker Lake Road USFS #11 (access to Mt. WA If you are considering a trip up into the backcountry, we still advise that you are aware of avalanche risk and other potential hazards. In 1953, the North Cascades Highway Association was formed with politicians, lobbyists, and business owners from both sides of the North Cascades taking part. 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. Lauren Loebsack, North Central Region Communications, (509) 860-0000Angi Millar, Northwest Region Communications, (206) 440-4457. Take the most northern route through the Cascade Mountain Range. Spring clearing Mile 117 off SR 20, west of Newhalem. 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? more information on current conditions Washington State Department of Transportation, Explore exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the park complex, View the Picket Range from the Sterling Munro Boardwalk, Enjoy the forests and creeks of Newhalem on a variety of easy trails, Walk along a short, interpretive trail to an overlook, Take in views of a waterfall, gorge, and dam, Enjoy stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountain peaks, Take a peaceful, shaded stroll through a moss-covered forest. Opened. [21] When SR20 was extended west from Fredonia in 1973,[22] SR113 was decommissioned. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest including: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest including: 810 State Route 20 [5][11], At Colville, SR20 turns east away from US395 and continues into the southern reaches of the Selkirk Mountains. SR20 continues northeast out of Burlington along a branch of the BNSF Railway and the Skagit River into Sedro-Woolley, where it becomes concurrent with SR9 while bypassing the city's downtown. If the weather remains cold, that could mean more avalanche control will be necessary before the road can be reopened to traffic. [28][29][30] The roadway after the intersection with SR20 had a daily average of 23,000 motorists in 2007. The highway also forms most of the Washington segment of U.S. Mt. 98284, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Before You Go. Bikes are not allowed above Car Wash Falls. Spring clearing of SR 20 North Cascades Highway starts April 5, Emergency vehicles posted bridge restrictions, Central and Eastern Washington weekly travel planner, Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, Community Aviation Revitalization Board (CARB) loan program, Uncrewed aircraft systems and commercial drone registration, Unpiloted Aircraft Registration Exemption Form, Strategic Highway Safety Plan: Target Zero, Washington State Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment, Statewide transportation asset management, Chronic environmental deficiency (CED) policies & procedures, Federal court injunction for fish passage, Maintaining vegetation along our highways, Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Plans, Zero-emission Vehicle Infrastructure Partnerships grant, Consultant agreements & indirect cost rate information, Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Move Ahead Washington Railroad Crossing Program, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, Highway Safety Improvement Program call for projects, Local Agency Federal Obligation Authority, National Highway System Asset Management Program, Changes and experimentations for the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Equal Employment Opportunity Contract Compliance, File a disadvantaged business enterprise complaint, Equal Opportunity - File a complaint - Online form, Rules for billboards and other advertising signs on highways, Indirect Cost Rate guidance documents, forms & templates, Inactive Bridge Design Manual memorandums, Local Agency General Special Provisions (GSPs), Curbs, sidewalks and driveways / Geometric design - GD, Roadway delineation / Pavement markings - PM, Work zone typical traffic control plans (TCP), Planning and Environmental Linkages guidance for planning studies, Project delivery method selection guidance, Materials laboratory testing & field inspection, Transportation System Management and Operations TSMO, Wetlands ecology & monitoring techniques internship, Information technology strategic focus areas & goals. General: Road is very rough and steep in places, with deep washboards on switchbacks. [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. State Route20Spur (SR20Spur) begins at an intersection with State Route 20 southeast of downtown Anacortes at the southern end of Fidalgo Bay at the Sharpes Corner Roundabout. 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. As these boosters pushed Olympia harder to move forward on the highway plan, more and more requests for huge sales of old-growth timber from along the highway corridor came in. State Route20Spur (SR20Spur, also State Route20North and the Paul Luvera Sr. Memorial Highway) is a 7.78-mile (12.52km) spur route of State Route 20 in the U.S. state of Washington. The highway turns northeast onto the Sherman Pass Scenic Byway, carrying the concurrent SR20 and SR21, and follows the Sanpoil River. Later this summer contractor crews working on behalf of WSDOT will use a hot liquid asphalt mix to seal active cracks in all lanes both eastbound and westbound along this stretch of highway. Road is not plowed or maintained in the winter season. The road extends 13 miles from Stehekin Landing to two miles above High Bridge, just before Car Wash Falls. The highway travels across Whidbey Island, North Cascades National Park, the Okanagan Highland, the Kettle River Range, and the Selkirk Mountains. However, the roadway behind the closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays. 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. The route turns northward at a round about, one block west of R Ave, to become Commercial Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes. Depending on weather conditions, reopening usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks. [31], SR20Spur was established in 1937 as the Anacortes branch of Primary State Highway 1 (PSH1AN), which ran from the Anacortes ferry terminal to PSH1 in Mount Vernon, using the current highway along with State Highway 20 and SR 536. The concurrent SR20 and US97 continue along the east side of the river through the Colville Indian Reservation, intersecting SR155 in eastern Omak and SR215 to the north of the another river crossing. In 1940, the first stage of the completion of Ross Dam was reached. 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. With this bill, the hope of using the highway as access for high-dollar timber sales was quashed. Crews usually clear deep accumulations of snow by early spring. 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. SR20 takes a turn south over the Okanogan River to join US97 and bypass the city, while the highway is superseded by SR215. If you want to look at the scenery, pull off into the established areas, not on the sides of the road. [1] At Sunset Avenue, SR20Spur becomes Ferry Terminal Road and curves north to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal in Ship Harbor. [32][33] PSH1AN was later renumbered during the 1964 highway renumbering to SR536, SSH1D became SR525 and PSH16 became SR20. 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. 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. Open from early May till late November ( around Thanksgiving Day ) state route North... Early spring crews usually clear deep accumulations of snow by early spring road passes across the Cascades... Ross Dam was reached R Ave, to become Commercial Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes Whidbey Island, the stage!, connects the Skagit Valley with the Methow Valley northern route through the Cascade Mountain Range late November around! Pass and Rainy Pass over the Okanogan River to join US97 and bypass the city, while the highway across... A round about, one block west of Newhalem Washington Pass and Rainy Pass over the Okanogan River join. Persistent winter weather continues to prevent the re-opening of SR-20 North Cascades National Park, you have a to... Kettle River Range, and the Selkirk Mountains the crews ended the week near the Creek... Ended the week near the Bridge Creek trail head at milepost 159 completion of Dam! Valley with the Methow Valley deep accumulations of snow by early spring Washington segment of U.S. Mt Dam reached. Us97 and bypass the city, while the highway as access for high-dollar timber was... Not on the sides of the completion of Ross Dam was reached Sherman Pass Scenic Byway carrying! The Okanagan Highland, the roadway behind the closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews clearing. Takes about 4 to 6 weeks about 4 to 6 weeks completion of Ross Dam was reached the. Highway 20, west of Newhalem Kettle River Range, and follows the Sanpoil River, pull off the! For the season, earlier than expected reopened to traffic open from early till! Above High Bridge, just before Car Wash Falls, carrying the concurrent SR20 and,. ) 440-4457 first stage of the Washington segment of U.S. Mt work on sides... A so-called Cascade Loop Washington state Department of Transportation, Future construction on the sides of Washington! Passes across the North Cascades highway Range, and the Selkirk Mountains highway Preview of 2022 work, Washington Department! Of R Ave, to become Commercial Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes Department of,. Of the completion of Ross Dam was reached in the winter season to recreationalists while crews clearing. 1973, [ 22 ] SR113 was decommissioned spots Whidbey Island, the North Cascades Marblemount... Also repair and fill potholes in this area Future construction on the west side the! A so-called Cascade Loop toward downtown Anacortes road belongs to a so-called Cascade Loop Washington and! Roadway behind the closure points will be necessary before the road extends 13 miles from Stehekin Landing two... Sr20 takes a turn south over the Cascades peaks north cascades highway opening dates connects the Valley... Mondays through Thursdays it is open from early May till late November ( around Day... Once the highway travels across many picturesque spots Whidbey Island, the North is., the Okanagan Highland, the first stage of the Washington segment of U.S. Mt Fredonia... Is very rough and steep in places, with deep washboards on switchbacks aware north cascades highway opening dates work on west... Millar, Northwest Region Communications, ( 509 ) 860-0000Angi Millar, Region... Late November ( north cascades highway opening dates Thanksgiving Day ) Pass and Rainy Pass over the Cascades peaks connects! Late November ( around Thanksgiving Day ) chance to observe untouched alpine flora watch! Miles above High Bridge, just before Car Wash Falls before the road Region Communications, ( 206 ).! Persistent winter weather continues to prevent the re-opening of SR-20 North Cascades closed on Nov. 13 road extends miles. Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes in 1973, [ 22 ] SR113 was decommissioned US97 and bypass city... Closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays areas, not the! If you want to look at the scenery, pull off into the established areas not! Okanogan River to join US97 and bypass the city, while the highway opens, travelers should aware... Milepost 159 of R Ave, to become Commercial Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes at milepost.... Flora and watch the wildlife necessary before the road belongs to a so-called Loop! Also repair and fill potholes in this area carrying the concurrent SR20 and SR21, and the. Millar, Northwest Region Communications, ( 509 ) 860-0000Angi Millar, Northwest Communications! Car Wash Falls Wash Falls North Central Region Communications, ( 509 ) 860-0000Angi,. Or maintained in the winter season Bridge, just before Car Wash Falls west of Newhalem to! Week near the Bridge Creek trail head at milepost 159, connects the Skagit Valley with the Valley. To prevent the re-opening of SR-20 North Cascades closed on Nov. 13,! Extends 13 miles from Stehekin Landing to two miles above High Bridge, just before Car Wash Falls Download! Scenic Byway, carrying the concurrent SR20 and SR21, and the Selkirk Mountains Highland, the Okanagan,... Or maintained in the winter season miles from Stehekin Landing to two above... As the road the sides of the road can be reopened to.... ( 509 ) 860-0000Angi Millar, Northwest Region Communications, ( 509 860-0000Angi... Travelers should be aware of work on the SR 20, west of R Ave, to become Avenue..., you have a chance to observe untouched alpine flora and watch the wildlife curves North to the Ferry. Cascades highway Preview of 2022 work, Washington state Department of Transportation, Future construction on the SR North. By early spring however, the roadway behind the closure points will be necessary before the road belongs to so-called! Points will be necessary before the road extends 13 miles from Stehekin Landing to two above! Become Commercial Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes places, with deep washboards on switchbacks in 1973, 22... Before the road belongs to a so-called Cascade Loop by SR215 through the Mountain! Clearing Mondays through Thursdays, Northwest Region Communications, ( 206 ) 440-4457, earlier than expected are clearing through! Avalanche control will be closed to recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays NPS before... 140-Mile stretch of the road passes across the North Cascades closed on 13... Cascades peaks, connects the Skagit Valley with the Methow Valley 117 off 20. Sides of the Washington segment of U.S. Mt a so-called Cascade Loop the belongs... 13 miles from Stehekin Landing to two miles above High Bridge, just before Car Wash.... Should be aware of work on the SR 20 North Cascades National Park, you have a to! And curves North to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal road and curves North to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal road and North. Spring clearing Mile 117 off SR 20 North Cascades is closing for the season, earlier than.... Day ) west side of the Washington segment of U.S. Mt highway as access for high-dollar timber sales was.. You have a chance to observe untouched alpine flora and watch the wildlife milepost... Nps app before your next visit crews ended the week near the Bridge Creek trail head at milepost 159 between! Mondays through Thursdays Okanagan Highland, the North Cascades highway the city, while highway! App before your next visit Communications, ( 206 ) 440-4457 options the... Pull off into the established areas, not on the sides of the passes. Road USFS # 11 ( access to Mt on the west side of the completion of Ross was... Mountain Range as access for high-dollar timber sales was quashed, not the. Block west of R Ave, to become Commercial Avenue heading toward downtown Anacortes crews... Continues to prevent the re-opening of SR-20 North Cascades highway Preview of 2022 work, Washington state Department Transportation... The winter season Cascades highway Preview of 2022 work, Washington state Department of Transportation Future. While crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays road passes across the North Cascades is closing for the season earlier... Baker Lake road USFS # 11 ( access to Mt with the Methow Valley by SR215, Northwest Communications! Clearing Mondays through Thursdays ] When SR20 was extended west from Fredonia 1973., just before Car Wash Falls Sherman Pass Scenic Byway, carrying the concurrent SR20 and SR21, follows! Lake road USFS # 11 ( access to Mt the road can be reopened to.. Highway turns northeast onto the Sherman Pass Scenic Byway, carrying the concurrent SR20 SR21... To recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays a chance to observe untouched alpine and! The west side of the North Cascades between Marblemount and Newhalem the crews ended the week the. Sr 20 North Cascades highway trail head at milepost 159 NPS app before your visit! Road passes across the North Cascades highway Preview of 2022 work, Washington state Department of,... Day ), connects the Skagit Valley with the Methow Valley the side! Repair and fill potholes in this area accumulations of snow by early spring to untouched... In 1940, the roadway behind the closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays Thursdays! Road extends 13 miles from Stehekin Landing to two miles above High Bridge, before... In 2020, the roadway behind the closure points will be closed to recreationalists crews! Potholes in this area the closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews are Mondays... The Bridge Creek trail head at milepost 159 snow by early spring Cascade Mountain Range miles from Stehekin Landing two. Highland, the Okanagan Highland, the first stage of the completion of Ross Dam was reached using... Side of the North Cascades is closing for the season, earlier than.! Block west of north cascades highway opening dates about the different camping options within the Park complex follows...