Deep snow depths near Rainy Pass slowed highway clearing efforts last week, the Washington State Department of Transportation said.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported that during the fifth week of clearing snow from the North Cascades Scenic Highway, work crews encountered some unexpected conditions that slowed their efforts.
So, it may be optimistic to expect the highway to be open for cross-mountain travel in time for the Winthrop ’49er Days celebration this weekend.
The eastside clearing crew advanced to Rainy Pass and found that snow depths had actually increased to 8 feet deep at the summit, compared to earlier measurements, because of late season snowfall, WSDOT said. “That means the Sno-Cat and an excavator are needed to knock the snow down to depths of 6 feet or less so the blower can clear the roadway,” WSDOT said.
The crew ended the week near Bridge Creek trailhead near milepost 159. “The report from the crew is there is at least another full week of clearing work ahead, with spring pavement and guardrail repairs to follow,” WSDOT said.
“From the west side, the crew has cleared both lanes to milepost 156, moving wet, heavy snow that’s 4 ½ ft. deep on the roadway,” WSDOT said. “While that leaves only a few miles between the crews, the depth of the snow on the road means slow going. Additionally, there will need to be another round of avalanche control work as snow loads remain high in the avalanche paths.”
The road remains closed at the Ross Dam Trailhead at milepost 134 on the west side and at the Silver Star gate at milepost 171 on the east (Methow Valley) side. Crews work Monday through Thursday to clear the road. WSDOT asks that you not explore past the closure points during the work week. Snow-clearing work began on March 28 this year. Last year, clearing began on April 5 and the route opened on May 5.
