Travelers should plan for winter driving conditions
information released, WSDOT file photo
Happy first week of November fellow North Cascades enthusiasts,
North Cascades Highway open …for now
State Route 20 remains open between Ross Lake Dam (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171). Our avalanche and maintenance crews have reviewed conditions, and even with winter weather in the forecast, the team plans to keep Washington and Rainy passes open a little bit longer. Plows and drivers are ready for the weekend.
Plan for winter in the mountains
Despite crews plowing the roads, the highway could still close due to a spin out or collision or unexpected snow slide. It is vital that travelers be prepared for winter travel. If you drive the North Cascades Highway this weekend, check in on the mountain pass page, fill up your gas tank and top off your windshield wiper fluid before you go. Travel with warm clothes, chains, and a snack. Most of all, pack some patience for your fellow travelers. Don’t tailgate or pass in unsafe areas and use your headlights. If you’re headed into the woods, be sure to park completely out of the travel lanes and don’t block trailheads and turnaround as this will impede our plow drivers and emergency responders.
Stay tuned…
The real time travel map and mountain pass page are the best places to get up-to-date information about the road. If there’s an incident or a closure, it will show up on the travel map. Conditions are reported by our plow drivers from the field for updates to the mountain pass page.
If you see our plows, don’t try to pass and be sure to follow from a safe distance, they’ll get out of your way soon enough. The North Cascades Highway is an important connection for many, and on the road, we are in it together. The WSDOT team is working to keep the route safely open as long as we can.
Take care and safe travels
