Washington Pass Overlook The Washington Pass Overlook is located on the Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The overlook is at the crest of Washington Pass and is part of the North Cascades Scenic Byway
The North Cascades Highway The route begins in Port Townsend and crosses west across Washington State, the North Cascades Scenic Byway is a segment of the route, it is also part of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway. Washington State Legislature designated State Route (SR) 20 between Sedro-Woolley and the junction of SR 20 and SR 153 near Twisp as a State Scenic Highway in 1967. In 1984 the North Cascades Highway was designated as a Washington State Scenic Byway and a National Forest Scenic Byway.
North Cascades Scenic Byway The North American Alps The 138 mile corridor starts at the eastern city limits of Sedro-Woolley and travels eastward through the pastoral Upper Skagit Valley, traverses a spectacular glacial mountain landscape and descends into the beautiful Methow Valley. On federal land ownership, the travel corridor goes through Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF, North Cascades National Park, and Okanogan-Wenatchee NF. The North Cascades is a rugged, wild, and beautiful landscape! Approximately 100,00 visitors stop at Washington Pass Overlook every year.
Mount Baker National Forest Skagit Wild and Scenic River
North Cascades National Park View from Lake Diablo Overlook in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area along North Cascades Highway
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Washington pass is the highest elevation of the highway at 5,477 feet. A hairpin turn adds adventure to the spectacular scenery!
Washington Pass Overlook Project Overview Need for project: 1. Provide improved higher level of accessibility for access to existing or new (proposed) infrastructure of the day use site including restrooms, picnic tables, interpretive kiosk and trail leading to overlook. 2. Extend seasonal use by providing restrooms that will be usable in the shoulder season (not dependent upon solar power and when water is shut off) Funding; 2 year project in collaboration with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and USFS 2009 to 2011 Phase 1 - $200,000 Phase 2 - $400,000
Overall Design Objectives Address tourism while enhancing the scenic highway resource Provide a unified approach to design, detail, maintenance, and interpretation for North Cascades Scenic Byway Utilize the Cascadian Architectural style to maintain a rustic character and design continuity Provide a high level of accessibility for all facilities
Examples of Cascadian Architectural Style
Background Information for Phase 1 The site is generally open from late June or early July until mid-september. Fall closure is determined by when water is shut off at site and when solar panels that provide power to the heaters and fans required for operation of the existing composting toilets are removed for the winter. Once the restroom is closed for the season, the site must be closed for sanitations reasons. Enhancement project includes installing sealed-vault toilets to provide facilities throughout the entire season of highway operation. This would extend the seasonal use by approximately two months. The project also includes reconstructing existing picnic areas and adding new sites to meet accessibility standards.
Phase 1 Planning, Survey and Design Our dedicated engineering survey crew through extreme winter conditions
Phase 1 Siteplan - 2009
Results of phase 1 implementation Installed 4 CXT Accessible Cascadian Toilets (1 double and 3 singles) Reconstructed 5 new accessible picnic sites near existing areas Constructed 6 new sites on north side of parking area with view of Liberty Bell Constructed 1 Information Kiosk Swept and Striped parking area
Existing Restroom The restroom facility was built in 1994 and received awards from the American Institute of Architects and the American Wood Council. The composting toilet system has never worked well, solar panels are used to power heaters and fans to improve the compost system and vent odor. The panels are removed in the fall due to extreme snow loads and the whole site must be closed due to sanitation concerns.
New Toilets
Old Picnic Sites
New Accessible Picnic Sites
Accessible Kiosk
Background Information for Phase 2 Washington Pass Overlook and Diablo Overlook provide a similar day use experience offering amenities such as restrooms, parking, picnic sites, interpretation, short accessible pedestrian walkways and outstanding views of the surrounding landscape. We coordinated with the National Park Service to design our railing to match the Diablo Overlook.
Phase 2 Siteplan - 2010
Results of phase 2 implementation Reconstructed 440 of accessible path that provides access to a natural rock platform overlook 700 above the highway Replaced wood retaining wall with concrete block retaining wall Installed 360 of new weathering steel railing along paths and around the flat rock outcrop and hiking trail Replaced all log curbs with new log curbs and added new curbs where necessary
Reconstructed 440 of accessible path that provides access to a natural rock platform overlook 700 above the highway
Replaced wood retaining wall with concrete block retaining wall
Installed 360 new weathering steel railing along paths and around flat rock outcrop and hiking trail
Does not meet current safety standards, is weathering and needs to be replaced Existing Railing
Implementation
New Railing
Replaced all log curbs with new log curbs and added new curbs where necessary
Scenic Views From Hiking Trail
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Design Team