North Cascades Highway closed by slides

[sardog1]

I know there are folks here who know the secret of the North Cascades (hint: it's a whole lot better than anything Bogey ever chased with a mad glint in his eye down in Cali.) Just in case you have a trip planned in the near future:

"North Cascades Highway could be closed for many days

There’s a road under there somewhere: The North Cascades Highway is closed near Rainy Pass after mudslides buried the road deep in dirt and rocks. (WSDOT photo)

Washington’s North Cascades Highway could be closed for many days after eight mudslides on the weekend buried parts of the road 25 feet deep in dirt and rocks.

Also called Highway 20, the mountain road is a scenic and quicker route from Western Washington to the Methow Valley on the east side of the Cascades. In summer, it’s a very popular route among vacationers, hikers, climbers and long-distance bicyclists, giving dramatic views of peaks and back-country access.

The slides hit a six-mile stretch of road just west of Rainy Pass, said Jeff Adamson, a spokesman for the Washington State Department of Transportation. The biggest slide is about a quarter-mile long and 25 feet deep, said Adamson. Along with the other seven slides there’s so much debris that outside contractors are being hired to help clear the mess."

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/northwesttraveler/2013/08/12/north-cascades-highway-could-be-closed-for-many-days/

 

[Bombadil]

I almost glazed over it but at the bottom of the article it says Cascade River Rd got washed out too. That's a pretty big deal as the road provides access for Eldorado, Forbidden, Torment, Sahale, and others with Sahale Arm being the most popular day hike in the park, according to the rangers. Kind of a long 23 mile walk each way to the trailhead!