Slow but steady progress during week two

information released

Happy Friday, fellow North Cascades enthusiasts,

Here’s the latest on the spring clean up along State Route 20 – the North Cascades Highway.

Wrapped up second week of eastside clearing work

Progress was pinched somewhat by warm spring weather that has increased the slide risk on the highway just as the eastside clearing crew was moving into the Cutthroat avalanche paths. For the most part our crews had to avoid working below the avalanche chutes because of the current melt off and snow loads in directly above the work zone. The highway maintenance crew works closely with our avalanche team to evaluate conditions based on site review and forecasts. The clearing crew wrapped up the week at milepost 162.5, just down the hill from the Washington Pass sign.

Plan ahead, be prepared

If you’re reading this, it’s probably not the first time you’re seen “don’t forget that Monday through Thursday the road behind the closure points is a work zone”. Our crews are working throughout the closed part of the road (milepost 134 to 171), Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. For everyone’s safety, stay out of the closure area during working hours. If you do choose to visit the back country on the weekends, please check in on conditions with the Northwest Avalanche Center and remember there is no cell service in the mountains. Be prepared.

Too soon to call for opening

Spring can mean just about anything in the North Cascades, and even as the warm up is melting the snowpack, spring snow is not unheard of on Washington Pass. It’s just too early to speculate when the route will open.

Even once the roadway is cleared, weather has to be clear enough for the other part of the clean-up work- after the snow is out of the way, crews have pavement, signage, and guardrail repairs, as well as drainage and ditching work to complete before the road can be safely opened to traffic. With several miles of snowpack between the west and east sides, there’s a lot of unknown to go before the North Cascades Highway is ready for traffic.

Earliest opening date so far was March 10 in 2005.

Despite the slow progress, the team was able to get some pics the D-8 at work, which are posted on this season’s Flickr album.

Take care and safe travels,
Lauren Loebsack, communications, 509-667-2815