Take caution and check for road closures due to wildfires in the North Cascades.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 10, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Loebsack, North Central Region Communications
(509) 860-0000
https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm

North Cascades Highway to Close for the Season on Wednesday due to Avalanche Risk

With a forecast of snow followed later this week by warmer, wet weather, the SR 20 North Cascades Highway will close on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. for the season. The closure points will be milepost 134/Ross Dam Trailhead on the west side and milepost 171/Silver Star Gate on the east.

Up to ten more inches of snow is forecasted for today, followed by a warm, wet Thursday and Friday, increasing the risk of avalanches across Rainy and Washington passes. Unlike US 2 Stevens Pass and I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, the North Cascades does not have facilities to perform avalanche control work to alleviate the condition. For the safety of the traveling public and winter maintenance crews, the pass must be closed.

The road will remain open and maintained until 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Travelers should still prepare for winter driving conditions as there will be active winter weather throughout the state this week.

Why we close the highway in winter
We close the North Cascades Highway when weather, snow conditions and avalanche danger threaten the safety of drivers and our maintenance crews. Avalanches typically close the highway between late November and mid-December.

Reopening in the spring is usually accomplished by early May.

Winter recreation on SR 20
Hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and other recreationists can access the closed portion of the 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.

Since WSDOT closes this stretch of the highway due to avalanche risk, anyone using this area should check forecasts and be aware of quickly changing conditions in the mountains. Travelers can also check conditions with North Cascades National Park before traveling to this area.

Updates will be shared on Twitter @WSDOT_East.

        We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.
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