The time has come!!! They open the pass Wed 5/5 at 1pm!!!
Maybe see y'all in Winthrop for lunch?
[SIZE=12pt]Hello North Cascades enthusiasts-[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The moment has arrived! After wrapping up the clearing work last week, we completed an avalanche control effort Monday and have a few final repairs to the roadway to make today. This means we will be reopening the gates for the season at 1 p.m. Wednesday.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]It’s been a lot of fun to share our progress this season, and we know there are some of you that plan to be present when our maintenance crew reopens the gates. We ask that if you do, please do so safely by maintaining a safe physical distance and wearing masks if you’re in a group outside of your vehicle. We want the experience to be enjoyable and safe for you and for our WSDOT crew.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]For those with plans to travel the North Cascades Highway in the near future, here’s an important reminder that many of the [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Forest Service[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] and [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Parks Service[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] facilities remain closed. Our crews clear the road and shoulder and any pullout needed for our maintenance work, but otherwise, it is still wintery up in the mountains and there are few services or rest stops. If you are considering a trip up into the backcountry, we still advise that you are aware of [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]avalanche[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] risk and other potential hazards. For your comfort and safety, please plan accordingly.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]We’ll wrap up with a big “Thank you!” to the hard working crews that dedicate several weeks each spring to reopen this scenic route that so many of us enjoy. [/SIZE]
We have a few more pics from the last week of work, and will share some from tomorrow’s reopening. If you haven’t had a chance, you can catch up on this year’s effort on [SIZE=12pt]Flickr[/SIZE], [SIZE=12pt]Facebook[/SIZE], [SIZE=12pt]Instagram[/SIZE], and [SIZE=12pt]Twitter[/SIZE]. More information about the route is available on the North Cascades Highway [SIZE=12pt]webpage[/SIZE].
[SIZE=18pt]Spring clearing of SR 20 North Cascades Highway starts April 5[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.5pt]Annual effort to reopen 37 miles of snowbound highway takes four to six weeks.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]WINTHROP – A telltale sign of spring in the Pacific Northwest is the cle[/SIZE]aring of State Route 20 North Cascades Highway between the Methow and Skagit valleys, and this year’s reopening work is scheduled to start April 5.
[SIZE=12pt]Depending on weather conditions, reopening usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]More snow than usual[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The pass closes every year in late November or early December based on snow conditions. Dozens of avalanche paths cross the highway, making it too dangerous to keep the highway open through the winter. In 2020, the North Cascades closed on Nov. 13. Our maintenance and avalanche control crews assess snow levels and avalanche conditions in early spring to determine a date to begin reopening work.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]This year’s snow levels were slightly higher than average and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still hold a substantial amount of snow. This presents a potential safety hazard for reopening crews, so allowing for additional melt off makes more manageable and safer conditions for workers.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]A yearly effort[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Highway maintenance crews on both the east and west sides of the closure will work to remove about 7 feet of snow from the highway. Crews use several specialized equipment pieces for this work, including a larger bulldozer and a “blower” that gathers snow and shoots it off the roadway.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]During the work the crews must be attentive to avalanche danger and watch for rocks, tree limbs and other debris that can damage the machinery and delay the clearing. Once the roadway is cleared, crews will repair guardrail, signs, and pavement damaged by snow slides during the closure.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Pictures of the reopening effort will be shared on Flickr.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Recreational use[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and other recreationalists will still be able to use the highway Fridays through Sundays once clearing begins. However, the roadway behind the closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays. Those planning to recreate behind the highway closure points should be prepared and aware of potential avalanche danger in the area.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Updates will be shared through the North Cascades newsletter and on Twitter at @WSDOT_East.[/SIZE]
Hyperlinks within the release:
Maybe see y'all in Winthrop for lunch?
[SIZE=12pt]Hello North Cascades enthusiasts-[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The moment has arrived! After wrapping up the clearing work last week, we completed an avalanche control effort Monday and have a few final repairs to the roadway to make today. This means we will be reopening the gates for the season at 1 p.m. Wednesday.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]It’s been a lot of fun to share our progress this season, and we know there are some of you that plan to be present when our maintenance crew reopens the gates. We ask that if you do, please do so safely by maintaining a safe physical distance and wearing masks if you’re in a group outside of your vehicle. We want the experience to be enjoyable and safe for you and for our WSDOT crew.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]For those with plans to travel the North Cascades Highway in the near future, here’s an important reminder that many of the [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Forest Service[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] and [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Parks Service[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] facilities remain closed. Our crews clear the road and shoulder and any pullout needed for our maintenance work, but otherwise, it is still wintery up in the mountains and there are few services or rest stops. If you are considering a trip up into the backcountry, we still advise that you are aware of [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]avalanche[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] risk and other potential hazards. For your comfort and safety, please plan accordingly.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]We’ll wrap up with a big “Thank you!” to the hard working crews that dedicate several weeks each spring to reopen this scenic route that so many of us enjoy. [/SIZE]
We have a few more pics from the last week of work, and will share some from tomorrow’s reopening. If you haven’t had a chance, you can catch up on this year’s effort on [SIZE=12pt]Flickr[/SIZE], [SIZE=12pt]Facebook[/SIZE], [SIZE=12pt]Instagram[/SIZE], and [SIZE=12pt]Twitter[/SIZE]. More information about the route is available on the North Cascades Highway [SIZE=12pt]webpage[/SIZE].
[SIZE=18pt]Spring clearing of SR 20 North Cascades Highway starts April 5[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.5pt]Annual effort to reopen 37 miles of snowbound highway takes four to six weeks.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]WINTHROP – A telltale sign of spring in the Pacific Northwest is the cle[/SIZE]aring of State Route 20 North Cascades Highway between the Methow and Skagit valleys, and this year’s reopening work is scheduled to start April 5.
[SIZE=12pt]Depending on weather conditions, reopening usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]More snow than usual[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The pass closes every year in late November or early December based on snow conditions. Dozens of avalanche paths cross the highway, making it too dangerous to keep the highway open through the winter. In 2020, the North Cascades closed on Nov. 13. Our maintenance and avalanche control crews assess snow levels and avalanche conditions in early spring to determine a date to begin reopening work.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]This year’s snow levels were slightly higher than average and the Liberty Bell avalanche chutes still hold a substantial amount of snow. This presents a potential safety hazard for reopening crews, so allowing for additional melt off makes more manageable and safer conditions for workers.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]A yearly effort[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Highway maintenance crews on both the east and west sides of the closure will work to remove about 7 feet of snow from the highway. Crews use several specialized equipment pieces for this work, including a larger bulldozer and a “blower” that gathers snow and shoots it off the roadway.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]During the work the crews must be attentive to avalanche danger and watch for rocks, tree limbs and other debris that can damage the machinery and delay the clearing. Once the roadway is cleared, crews will repair guardrail, signs, and pavement damaged by snow slides during the closure.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Pictures of the reopening effort will be shared on Flickr.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Recreational use[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and other recreationalists will still be able to use the highway Fridays through Sundays once clearing begins. However, the roadway behind the closure points will be closed to recreationalists while crews are clearing Mondays through Thursdays. Those planning to recreate behind the highway closure points should be prepared and aware of potential avalanche danger in the area.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Updates will be shared through the North Cascades newsletter and on Twitter at @WSDOT_East.[/SIZE]
Hyperlinks within the release:
- Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/albums/72157718811293091
- potential avalanche danger: nwac.us/
- newsletter: service.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOT/subscriber/new
- @WSDOT_East: twitter.com/WSDOT_East
