Route 20 through NCNP

[ST-Traveler]

Hello,
Anyone from Washington hear anything on when the North Cascade National Park route 20 will be opening east to west?

Thanks

 

[ST11Nut]

This indicates that it just opened days ago

Highway across North Cascades opens after seasonal closure | HeraldNet.com

Work had stopped March 26 during a statewide stay-home order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

www.heraldnet.com

 

[ST-Traveler]

Still getting this on the google maps

 

[MV_Dave]

It's open per the DOT website, https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/travel/highways-bridges/passes/north-cascades-highway/home . Google maps is just slow to update.

Note that the Park itself is close so no NCNP facilities will be open.

 

[st11ray]

The Blue Ridge Parkway just reopened. They showed it on the news last night. It was nothing but a parking lot! Cars everywhere and bikes too. I'll pass on that and ride the backroads until the "newness" of the reopening wears off.

 

[ST-Traveler]

Now Google maps has it open... yahhhhh....

 

[Daboo]

Yes, the North Cascades Highway opened on May 12th. However per the National Park Service website,

North Cascades NPS Complex Remains Closed as of May 12, 2020
The Park Complex is closed to all park visitors until further notice. SR20 has been cleared and is open for travel as of May 12. Per Washington State guidance, use should be limited to essential travel.

I don't know if that means they have yellow "Do Not Cross" tape put across the parking lots and sightseeing spots, or not. I've heard California did that...and the people ripped the tape away and threw the barricades over the edge of the cliffs.

If you take that route, I suggest skipping most of I-5. I generally will take I-5 north to the rest stop by Arlington. It gives me a last potty stop before leaving to ride north on Hwy 9, and skips most of the traffic.

Chris

 

[ST-Traveler]

We planned this trip in early January of this year- before the COVID-19 outbreak. My friend and I are planning after NATSTOC on a 2-3 week trip up through Montana ( Little Big Horn battle ground stop) then up through Idaho,Washington across the NCNP- ( RT 20 -not planning on stopping- just like the scenery). From there up to Forks Washington then down 101 through Oregon and northern California if all stays open..Camping along the way with some Hotel's in there too.

 

[Daboo]

I'd love to join you for parts of this. I'm still planning on NATSTOC.

Chris

 

[ToddC]

Hey Chris, bring them by here....free biker flop house... Wait...does that mean free biker, flop house...or...free, biker flop house...??? T

 

[Daboo]

@ToddC, you were planning on going to NATSTOC too, weren't you?

Chris

 

[st11ray]

We planned this trip in early January of this year- before the COVID-19 outbreak. My friend and I are planning after NATSTOC on a 2-3 week trip up through Montana ( Little Big Horn battle ground stop) then up through Idaho,Washington across the NCNP- ( RT 20 -not planning on stopping- just like the scenery). From there up to Forks Washington then down 101 through Oregon and northern California if all stays open..Camping along the way with some Hotel's in there too.

When I went through there years ago, I stopped in a neat little town called Sandpoint, ID. If you are near there, it's a good place to stop for lunch or just a break.

 

[fnmag]

When I went through there years ago, I stopped in a neat little town called Sandpoint, ID. If you are near there, it's a good place to stop for lunch or just a break.

I've stopped for grub in Sandpoint and heartily agree, a nice spot for a break/food.

 

[ToddC]

Still up in the air for me at this time. Not registered. T

@ToddC, you were planning on going to NATSTOC too, weren't you?

Chris

 

[Daboo]

I still have NATSTOC on my calendar, 24-27 June. July is empty and boring. In August, things liven up again...hopefully. WeSTOC starts on 24 August; if it is still on, I'll be there. The Rally in the Gorge starts on 26 August and is a possibility. Then I'll go with another group on their "Ride the Ribbon" mini-rally where we have fun on the central Oregon roads.

Then the rain comes....

Chris

 

[MajorTom]

If you're looking for a nice place to stop for lunch toward the east end of Hwy 20 I recommend the Old Schoolhouse Brewery in Winthrop. They have a really nice patio overlooking the Chewuch River where my wife and I really enjoyed our lunch. Have a great ride.