Northern Tier, Map 1, Loup Loup Pass closure due to washout, April 2017

[jamawani]

Loup Loup Pass is closed due to a major washout.
Detour EB - From Twisp Hwy 20 then Hwy 153 to Pateros, US 97 to Brewster, Old 97 to Hwy 20 4 mi S. of Okanogan
Detour WB - Hwy 20 4 mi S. of Okanagan, Old 97 to Brewster, US 97 to Pateros, Hwy 153 to Hwy 20 & Twisp

* Given the damage to paved highways, I would not attempt an early season detour on dirt forest roads.
Not only will they be snowy/muddy, but they will have big washouts, too.

BUT WAIT !!! - THERE'S MORE !!!
The North Cascades Highway remains closed and will likely be quite late opening this year.
Too often, easterners and folks from overseas just don't realize how long winter remains in the Northwest.
Not only is there the possibility of snow into June, but the heavy snowpack this winter has to melt out.


OKANOGAN – Work is under way to repair washed-away portions of Highway 20 over Loup Loup Pass, but motorists will have to take the long way between the Okanogan and Methow valleys for several more weeks.

http://www.omakchronicle.com/news/2017/apr/18/repair-work-underway-loup-loup-pass/

From Washington State DOT

SR 20 is closed in both directions from four miles west of the Loup Loup Pass summit at milepost 211 to Rock Creek at milepost 223 due to water over the roadway, mud slides, and road repairs. Currently there is no estimated time for reopening and no local detour available. Motorists can use SR 153 through the Methow Valley as an alternate route.
WEATHER:

Updated: Sunday April 23, 2017 1:33 AM

https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/louploup/default.aspx

North Cascades Highway -

Conditions:
Pass is closed for the season. Spring clearing work is underway and could take as many as 8 weeks to reopen due to the volume of snow.
Weather:
Not Available
Restrictions Eastbound:
Closed for the season
Restrictions Westbound:
Closed for the season

https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/passinformation.aspx?_ga=1.235887617.1854627326.1473713465#northcascadehwysr20link

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/updates2017.htm

[doughalonen]

Any chance 20 will still be closed in late June?

[CMajernik]

Here is what the WA DOT website says. Eight weeks would be early June. Please check the link to get updates: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades
STATUS UPDATE -
April 21, 2017
SR 20 remains closed between mileposts 134 and 171 but the spring reopening work is now entering week 3. 
Clearing work may take as many as 8 weeks which would be the latest since 1974's June 14 reopening.
During the clearing, pedestrians (skiers) & bicyclists are prohibited Monday through Thursday, but allowed past the gates Friday through Sunday.

[Strawzama]

UPDATE:

SR 20 over Rainy and Washington Pass is now scheduled to open on Tuesday, May 16th at appx. 11:00 a.m.!

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2017/05/11/sr-20-north-cascades-highway-reopening-planned-may-16

Temporary closures are possible if avalanche activity becomes a concern.  Expect 60 to 80 inches of snow on the ground at Washington Pass.

SR 20 over Loup Loup Pass remains closed due to flood damage in April.  Estimates continue to be for a mid-June opening, though weather between now and then will most likely determine the actual timeline.  Plan on a detour south to Pateros and north on Highway #97 to Okanogan.  USFS routes remain either snow covered and will for some time.

[CMajernik]

SR 20 remains closed in both directions from eight miles west of the Loup Loup Pass summit at milepost 207 to Rock Creek at milepost 223 due to mud slides, washouts, and road repair work. Currently there is no estimated time for reopening and no local detour available.

Here is the detour for both vehicles and bikes. It adds about 30 miles.
Detour EB - From Twisp Hwy 20 then Hwy 153 to Pateros, US 97 to Brewster, Old 97 to Hwy 20 4 mi S. of Okanogan
Detour WB - Hwy 20 4 mi S. of Okanagan, Old 97 to Brewster, US 97 to Pateros, Hwy 153 to Hwy 20 & Twisp

For information:
http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/LoupLoup/default.aspx

[Strawzama]

Note: By bactracking appx 1/2 mile from where the Winthrop-Twisp Eastside Road meets Highway 20 on the ACA map headed east, you can ride the much quieter and more scenic Twisp-Carlton Road app. 10 miles south to Carlton and avoid riding on Highway #20 for this section. This is especially recommended on Fri, Sat or Sunday when traffic volumes are high in the Methow Valley.

This detour provides an opportunity to shop at Hank's market or catch a shower at the Washworks...or the FORK food truck or new Old School Brewery Taproom at Twispworks across from the turn onto the back road to Carlton.

Enjoy riding the the Methow Valley from the Alpine to the Columbia!

[Pat Lamb]

Just noticed that Washington DOT has re-opened Loup Loup Pass:
http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/PassInformation.aspx#louplouppasssr20link

It looks like there's still a section of gravel (with a traffic light to control the one lane, ugh).  Best I can tell, this is about 2.5 miles up from the bridge over Loup Loup Creek -- about where it gets steep going west, IIRC.