North Cascades Highway Closed for Season

The Washington State Department of Transportation announced that North Cascades Highway, part of State Route 20, will close for the season.

Communications Manager Lauren Loebsack said crews close the road every year once snow fills the avalanche chutes that line the highway.

"We had closed it on Friday (November 13th) evening ahead of that storm and got dumped on." explained Loebsack, "We were going to re-evaluate on Monday, but we got out there and we saw how much snow had fallen and, considering the upcoming forecast, determined it was time to close it for the season."

The closure points start at milepost 134/Ross Dam Trailhead and at milepost 171/Silver Star Gate. When significant snow begins to fall, WSDOT crews will move the western closure point back to milepost 130/Colonial Creek Campground and the eastern closure point to milepost 178/Early Winters Campground.

Loebsack added that the North Cascades Highway typically reopens in early to mid May, depending on conditions.

Hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and other recreationalists can access the closed portion of highway during the winter season. Users should park in designated parking areas to allow plow drivers the space they need to clear snow around the closed stretch’s access gates.