Cascade Loop - Washington Pass

Washington Pass

Washington Pass is the location where the North Cascades Highway, Washington State Route 20, crosses the top of the Cascade Range and starts the descent into Eastern Washington. The geology of the area is explained in a display board at the lookout, while the history and mountain peaks are described in a brochure available from the Forest Service.

Panorama

The following photographs show the view from the lookout, starting at the right and moving towards the left. The right hand side is the road leading towards the coast, while the left heads down into the Methow Valley.

Mountaineous terrain, rocky with treed areas and winding road

The mountain on the right is Liberty Bell, the one immediately adjacent is Early Winters Spire and finally Cooper Peak on the left. Also visible is the road heading down.

Mountaineous terrain, rocky with treed areas and winding road

Looking towards Cooper Basin, with Cooper Peak slightly left of centre.

Mountaineous terrain, rocky with treed areas

Kangaroo Ridge is on the left of this image, while Cooper Basin is on the very right.

Looking down mountaineous valley with trees and road

Looking down the Methow Valley, with Vasiliky Ridge about mid picture, and Silver Star Mountain to its right.

Additional Views

Rocky peaks atop mountain of trees

Close up of Liberty Bell (right) and Early Winters Spire.

Distant road winding down side of mountain

The road is a LONG way down, as a couple of motorcycles are JUST visible (larger image) behind the large vehicle. I believe this is the section of road which takes the longest to clear of snow before the road is opened in late Spring. The problem is the numerous avalanches from the mountains which results in a large amount of snow on the road.

View across valley to steep hillside with trees and rocks

Closer view of Kangaroo Ridge, with plenty of signs of rock erosion resulting from the freezing winters.

Wells Damright arrow