WSDOT HWY progress reports.

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Fun CH
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Re: WSDOT HWY progress reports.

Post by Fun CH »

In case you missed it, HWY20 opened yesterday at 10 am.

I got to Silver Star gate right as it opened. Two logging trucks stopped and let traffic go by, one did not and everyone behind had to pass this double trailer log truck. Thank you to the drivers of the trucks that let everyone pass.

I arrived at Blue Lake trail head and was greeted by the Usual Suspects of backcountry skiers. G and I decided to tour together, P went on solo to the South side and E and B headed toward Blue lake.

After checking out the south slopes and finding that the new snow from this last week was now breakable crust in places, G and I headed to the North facing Blue peak area.

A little over halfway up we were passed by three Young Bucks from the west side on a mission to do the birthday tour. This was fortunate for us as it saved us from having to kick steps up the last face to the Top corniced Ridge. On top a young couple from the west side joined us for some friendly conversion.

G and I skiied the South facing slopes of Blue peak col which drops down into Copper Creek. The snow had a bit of a crust but not breakable and became softer as we dropped in altitude. The three guys who passed us had triggered one wet snow Avalanche which was capable of burying a person. If caught in that slide, it would have been like being in a slow concrete pour. These types of slides are generally triggered on the First turn off the Steep rollovers and move so slowly that the skier is long gone by the time the Avalanche builds up enough Mass to do some harm. Don't fall on that first turn and you're okay.

Since we didn't have a car dropped at The Hairpin to complete the birthday to tour, we climbed back up to the col to ski the North side back to the Blue Lake trailhead.

Not a bad effort of over 4,000 verticle feet of climbing for a couple of retired old gummers.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
Fun CH
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Re: WSDOT HWY progress reports.

Post by Fun CH »

"Hello fellow North Cascades enthusiasts!

The fifth week of the 2022 spring clearing of the North Cascades wrapped up slightly different than expected if you’ve followed previous weeks’ reports. The eastside crew has managed to get to Rainy Pass and found it in very different condition than the assessment on March 28. In March, the crew observed 6 ½ ft. of snow over the road but the spring snow earlier this month added more than a foot, and snow depths are now between 7 ½ and 8 ft. deep at the summit. That means the sno cat and an excavator are needed to knock the snow down to depths of 6 ft. or less so the blower can clear the roadway.

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.

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. 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 Silver Star gate at milepost 171 on the east. Crews work Monday through Thursday to clear the road, so please do not explore past the closure points during the work week. As always, if you plan to recreate behind the closure points, we strongly recommend that you consult the Northwest Avalanche Center for current backcountry avalanche conditions.

We’ll keep sharing updates to the 2022 spring clearing on Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Safe travels and have a great weekend-
Lauren Loebsack, Communications 509-860-0000 (mobile)
North Central Region-Wenatchee"
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
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pasayten
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Re: WSDOT HWY progress reports.

Post by pasayten »

WSDOT

Week 4 of clearing the SR 20 North Cascades Highway is in the books and our east side crews reached the Washington Pass summit, putting them about 10 miles east of our west side crews. There's still quite a bit more to do, though. With snow 8 feet deep on the highway at the top of the pass, they use a Sno-Cat and loader to knock it down and move it to about 6 feet deep for the blower to clear a path on the road. With only initial cuts in the snow, the entire road width and shoulders still need to be cleared and then guardrail and pavement repairs have to be made, as well as any other debris removed. Still no sense on when opening day will be, but when we know, we'll get word out.
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pasayten
Ray Peterson
Fun CH
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Re: WSDOT HWY progress reports.

Post by Fun CH »

Also an Important reminder to HWY20 Recreationists for this time of year.

On Sunday I rode my bicycle up to the hairpin and spoke with a local who witnessed an avalanche come down the LB 1 slide path which the WSDOT has mostly cleared.

The Avy came down as a bike rider was off his bike and filming while in that Avy path. The local yelled a warning however the rider seemed slow to react and to get the 'ell out of there while continuing to film.

I saw the debris pile and the Avy was large enough to kill.

LOOK UP when crossing and don't linger in an Avalanche path.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
Fun CH
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Re: WSDOT HWY progress reports.

Post by Fun CH »

From WSDOT

"Hello fellow North Cascades enthusiasts!

Although we did get snow on the North Cross, during week 3 of the spring clearing crews were able to clear the Cutthroat avalanche paths from the east and have reached the Liberty Bell (referred to as “LB”) avalanche paths between milepost 163 and 164.

The Liberty Bell group includes three of the largest avalanche paths on Washington Pass and we expect that it will take all next week to clear them. The avalanche crew supervisor reported soft snowpack but lots of it.

From the west side, crews reached milepost 150. With the Liberty Bell chutes still ahead on the east and a week of snowfall on the uncleared road between the east and west crews, reopening is still a couple weeks away.

If fresh snow is beckoning to you, remember that wet spring snow and warmer weather can increase avalanche risk. If you plan to recreate behind the closure points, please consult the Northwest Avalanche Center for current backcountry avalanche conditions."
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
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pasayten
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Re: WSDOT HWY progress reports.

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pasayten
Ray Peterson
Fun CH
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WSDOT HWY progress reports.

Post by Fun CH »

In case you don't get these reports;

"Hello fellow North Cascades enthusiasts!

To quote the avalanche crew, the second week of clearing went “splendidly”. Last weekend’s winter storm didn’t set the spring clearing effort back too much and on the east side the crew cleared into the Cutthroat avalanche paths between milepost 165 and 164. I’ve posted a map of the Cutthroat and Liberty Bell avalanche paths on Flickr this week.

Avalanche danger on the west side of the mountains has been too great and crews were not able to safely clear snow, but they stayed busy below the west side snow line clearing drainages and making necessary road repairs. We are still a couple of weeks out before we can reopen but great progress is happening.

Speaking of avalanche danger, for those of you that use SR 20 to access backcountry recreation, please consult the Northwest Avalanche Center for current backcountry avalanche conditions. Warm spring weather brings beautiful days and bluebird skies, but also makes snow loads soft and increases avalanche risk.

We’ll continue to share updates to the 2022 spring clearing on Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Safe travels and have a great weekend-

Lauren Loebsack, Communications 509-860-0000 (mobile)
North Central Region-Wenatchee"
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding--Nick Lowe
Can't talk to a man who don't want to understand--Carol King
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