North Cascades Hwy Early Opening

[bubba zanetti]

 

Looks like they start plowing this week. Highway 20 should be open in about a month.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades

[Sport-Touring]

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Not too surprising considering the snow reports I've heard this year from that area  

[NotDeadYet]

One of my "must ride" roads each season. The local police chief in Concrete even likes us up there. Don't ask how I know.
😎

[bubba zanetti]

I like it too. There are some beautiful vistas, great corners and interesting places to stop and eat/take a break. Makes for a nice loop from here or just a weekend in Winthrop. Pearrygin Lake is a really nice campground to base out of or you can do the KOA if you need stumbling distance. It is a rare year I do not make time to ride this.  

[Oxblood]

SR 20 is one of my favourite routes. I like to ride from Burlington to Kettle Falls in one day, then stay at the Kettle Falls campground in the FDR Recreation Are and do a couple of days loop rides, then back home again. I try to get this done once a season.

[Oxblood]

Wow, it ought not to take too long to clear the road. There is only 5ft of snow at Washington Pass!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/16167418703/in/set-72157650890650878

[Oxblood]

Looks like the North Cascades will be opened by the end of the week.

[bubba zanetti]

Looks like the North Cascades will be opened by the end of the week.

`We are hopeful the highway can reopen Friday, April 3, in time for Easter weekend.
No promises, but if all goes well ...!`

54 inches of snow this year vs the average of 108.  

[Oxblood]

Yeah, hardly any snow at all. The only large "accumulations" were below the avalanche chutes at Liberty Bell. Another shocker is Duffy Lake Road. Take a peek at the highway cam for the Duffy summit on drivebc.ca. It is kind of shocking how little snow there is there.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

This thread makes me sad  

[Sport]

Never been W to E on 20 but this year I plan on riding the US coastline from the Bay Area into WA state and stay west and wind my way to the NW corner and then make my way east to 20 for the cross over into Idaho on my way to Glacier NP.  Should be a nice ride and I'm not leaving until mid July.

[veefer800canuck]

Never been W to E on 20 but this year I plan on riding the US coastline from the Bay Area into WA state and stay west and wind my way to the NW corner and then make my way east to 20 for the cross over into Idaho on my way to Glacier NP.  Should be a nice ride and I'm not leaving until mid July.

I'm sure that Lolo and the GTS road are both on your hitlist, yes?

[Sport]

I'm sure that Lolo and the GTS road are both on your hitlist, yes?

For sure but this route I'll hit the GTTSR first and then on my way back, cross the Lolo and ride hiway 12 alongside the Lochsa, the Selway and the Clearwater rivers...GREAT riding country!!!

[Oxblood]

Sport, the ride West to East is fun. The only tedious part is the schlepp on Rte 97 from Okanagan to Tonasket. DUll does not describe it. But it is relatively short. But it will be hella hot in July. Most people ride only the North Cascades portion, then double back from Winthrop. A shame too, as there is some fun to be had on that road from Tonasket east to Kettle Falls (And, to end the day there is sublime as the National Recreation Area has a very nice, inexpensive campground right there, with many cliffside sites).  Keep heading east through Colville to the Pen D'Oreille river. That portion has  some nice cureces, but the rest of 20 along side the river gets a tad boring. Drop into Idaho through Newport and rip on Idago 202, which has some nice bits to it.

All in all, you will have a hoot on WA 20.

[Sport]

Thanks, I like to head up to Bonner's Ferry and then up to Eureka MT and then down to Glacier.  Very nice roads.  What I'm deciding now is whether to take my Busa or my Corvette ragtop!

[Stray Cat]

This thread makes me sad  

We live in La Conner now! That should cheer you up!
For those that don't want to look at a map, basically the west end of Hwy 20. Winthrop for lunch!

[birdrunner]

Thanks, I like to head up to Bonner's Ferry and then up to Eureka MT and then down to Glacier.  Very nice roads.  What I'm deciding now is whether to take my Busa or my Corvette ragtop!

Bonner's Ferry to Eureke,  turn North at Libby, see the dam,  and follow the forestry road on the NORTH side of the lake.  It's paved and twisty and all sorts of fun.  Cross the bridge and head into Eureka.  They've got a cheap municiple camp site right in town.  A couple blocks from the Jaz Cafe,  which has good food.

[Sport]

I've been meaning to try the north side road but the south side is soooo much fun....and f a s t...!

[BobW]

my Busa or my Corvette ragtop!

 

When you're old you can drive the car. Some great roads to enjoy in that region regardless.

Safe travels

[Mrs. DantesDame]

We live in La Conner now! That should cheer you up!
For those that don't want to look at a map, basically the west end of Hwy 20. Winthrop for lunch!

Well, to be honest I was mostly sad about the lack of snow. Hwy 20 is nice, but...