Officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced Wednesday, December 3, 2025, that the North Cascade Highway (SR20) will close for the season at 6pm, Thursday, December 4, 2025.
WSDOT said the closure is “due to conditions and avalanche risk.”
With current snow loads in avalanche pathways and snow showers forecast in the North Cascades beginning Friday, crews determined it is time to close for the safety of the traveling public and crews.
Rainy Pass (elevation 4862 feet) and Washington Pass (elevation 5475 feet) will close between Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Silver Star gate (milepost 171). Depending on conditions, the closure points are typically moved to lower elevation closure points later in the season, moving to the Newhalem gate (milepost 120) on the west side and Early Winters gate (milepost 178) on the east side.
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Click for more information– Washington State Department of Transportation (December 3, 2025)
In addition, Cayuse (SR123) and Chinook Passes (SR410) have already closed for the season.
All will remain closed until they can be safely reopened in the spring.
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