The North Cascades Highway is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, May 5 at 1 p.m.
By end of day Thursday, April 29, the east side and west side crews met, and the entire length of the highway is now cleared. The next step in the reopening work includes repairs to damage caused by snow and debris through the avalanche pathways, such as sign, guardrail, and pavement repair. Those interested in accessing area behind the closure points are advised to consult the Northwest Avalanche Center for current backcountry avalanche conditions. Clearing work started at Early Winters gate on Monday, April 5 and typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
The North Cascades Highway closed for the season on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 due to heavy snowfall and risk of avalanche.
Overview
State Route 20 is the northernmost route across the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington and is commonly referred to as the North Cascades Highway. This scenic byway offers travelers a wide array of beautiful vistas and is part of the Cascade Loop, a 400-mile driving tour through the Cascades.
Why we close the highway in winter
We close the North Cascades 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.
