Cascade River Road Conditions?

[DPS]

Does anyone know if the Cascade River road is still drivable to Eldorado Creek trail head? How much snow is up there? Is it too early to ski up to Sahale?

 

Thanks,

 

Dan

[TrogdortheBurninator]

i heard rumors of blowdowns, but have no direct confirmation

[ncascadesranger]

Over this past weekend it was still drivable to Eldorado Creek in almost any type of vehicle. The gate is closed at that point. The blowdowns were cleared last week. Only a dusting of snow on or around the road at that point, and while Sahale Arm would be skiable, you'd be hauling the boards aways to get up there. Of course, this conditions report is subject to change - probably overnight!

[DPS]

Thanks for the updates! Back when I was keen on winter ascents up at Cascade Pass I took to carrying a McCulloch 350 chain saw for the numerous blow downs.

[Billygoat]

I'm sure the ranger is going to like hearing that one

[MisterMo]

Thanks for the updates! Back when I was keen on winter ascents up at Cascade Pass I took to carrying a McCulloch 350 chain saw for the numerous blow downs.

 

With the forty-eight inch bar, yes?

 

[ncascadesranger]

Relatively speaking the North Cascades National Park and nearby areas escaped last week's storm without much damage to roads, trails and bridges, except for this on the Cascade River Road. This closure is 12.7 miles above Marblemount. Eldorado Creek is approx 20 miles; the road had been gated for winter here.

 

SKAGIT COUNTY – An apparent avalanche rushed down Hard Creek causing mud, debris and boulders to damage a county-owned bridge on the Cascade River Road. The bridge, constructed in the mid-1990s, received significant damage to the concrete abutments and the pre-cast pre-stressed concrete deck.

The Cascade River Road provides access to National Forest Lands and no residents live beyond the bridge. Upon discovering the damage, on Tuesday, December 4, Skagit County road crews put up barricades and closed the road.

Because of the structural damage to the bridge and amount of mud and debris covering it, Skagit County Public Works Department have declared it unsafe for vehicles. Cascade River Road will remain closed until the bridge is repaired or replaced.”

“It appears that the two deck panels are damaged and the east abutment has taken a substantial hit and has shifted slightly downhill,’ said Skagit County Engineering Services manager David Sheridan.

Sheridan said that replacement cost could be as high as $1 million.

[AlpineK]

That's the bridge near a campground is it not?

[AllYouCanEat]

Bummer. I love skiing in that area during winter and spring, plus occasional kayaking. That road has been hit hard in recent years!

[Stefan]

crapola

[marek]

Bummer. I love skiing in that area during winter and spring, plus occasional kayaking. That road has been hit hard in recent years!

No problem, just ride your bike!

[Fairweather]

No problem, just ride your bike!

 

I'm glad you have a lot of time on your hands. Some don't.

[i_like_sun]

I was up at Cascade Pass two months ago, and as of then the road was still closed about 2.5 miles below the trailhead. I don't know if they've done any more work on it since then, but I would doubt it now that the snow is super deep.