Access to Cascade Pass, Horseshoe Basin, and the Sahale Arm trails in North Cascades National Park in Washington state will be closed for about five weeks beginning in early April.
The Cascade River Road will be closed to all vehicle and foot traffic from April 3 through May 13 during construction on Hard Creek Bridge. Park staff say drivers may experience up to 20-minute delays from May 14 to May 25. The road closure will begin at the Lookout Mountain Trail parking area near milepost 7 and will affect hikers and climbers approaching the area from either the east or west side. Eldorado Peak and other peaks accessed via Eldorado Creek will not be affected.
The Cascade River Road provides access to the very popular Cascade Pass, Horseshoe Basin, and Sahale Arm Trails, as well as a scenic route for visitors hiking across the park to Stehekin. Boston Basin is a popular climbing area, with access to Forbidden, Sahale and Sharkfin peaks, among others.
This temporary road closure will ensure continued access to these areas in the future, with less potential for road failure, the park staff said in a release.