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 landscapes, and is part of the Cascade Loop, a 400-mile driving tour through the Cascades.
Take a virtual drive on the highway from your computer.
Why we close the road
We close the North Cascades Highway in the winter when snow and avalanche danger threatens the safety of drivers and maintenance crews. We close the highway on the west at milepost 134, east of Diablo, and on the east at milepost 170, 14 miles west of Mazama. On average, we usually close the highway between late November and early December and reopen it in the spring between late March and early May.
Pass driving conditions
We suggest you first check the forecasts for the western slope of the Northern Cascades and the eastern slope . Then look at the Newhalem and Winthrop cameras and finally, check the real-time conditions from the Washington Pass weather station . These will help you plan accordingly. We also post current pass driving conditions on our passes Web page.
Changing weather conditions
Be mindful of changing weather conditions in the mountains and be prepared before you cross. Make sure to have good tires, a full gas tank, washer fluid, warm clothes in the trunk, a shovel, kitty litter and a flashlight, plus some extra food/water and extra medication or baby care stuff. (A cell phone doesn't do you much good between Diablo and Mazama, but take one anyway).
How can I get more information?
Contact:
E-mail updates for North Cascades Highway
Communications Jeff Adamson
2830 Euclid Ave / P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: 509-667-2815
E-mail: AdamsoJ@wsdot.wa.gov
Communications Dustin Terpening
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: 360-757-5997
E-mail: Terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov