A wonderful day hike on the Pacific Crest Trail to a scenic pass with mountain views that extend nearly to infinity.

• Road and Trailhead: The short 1/4-mile road from Hwy 20 to the trailhead is in fair shape, with the first half paved and the second half gravel with lots of potholes. While many of the potholes are large, there is plenty of room for average clearance vehicles to maneuver around them. There were 4 cars in the parking lot at 8 a.m. and 13 cars at 1:30 p.m. The toilet at the trailhead was clean and stocked with TP, hand sanitizer, and an air freshener. Definitely 5-star accommodations! There was even a basket next to the loo for used bags of doggie doo.
• Weather: A sunny Monday, with trailhead temperatures of 50°F at 8 a.m. and 80°F at 1:30 p.m.
• Bugs: While there were a lot of bugs in the parking area and along the trail, the bugs were not too bad as they mostly left me alone while I was moving (thank you bug spray). But the bugs became a problem when I stopped for a short break at Cutthroat Pass (it took the bugs about 5 minutes to find me and then they swarmed en masse). Thus, not many rest breaks for me today. 
• Trail: As expected for the PCT, the trail was in good condition with a solid tread and steady elevation gain the entire hike. The first mile had 3 blowdowns to easily step over or around and one easy stream crossing. Porcupine Creek, at about 1.7 miles, was also relatively straightforward to cross, but hiking poles were helpful. There were 3 blowdowns along the second mile, one of which took a little effort to navigate up and around. The trail the rest of the way to Cutthroat Pass was clear of obstacles. For those looking for water filtering options, I counted 10 small streams after the Porcupine Creek crossing, with the last stream about 1/2 mile before the pass. There was no water in the pass area.
• The views from Cutthroat Pass were wonderful, with something to see in all directions. I extended my hike by following the PCT north about 0.7 miles for more views, and also by following the unmaintained climbers trail from Cutthroat Pass to the south and up the ridge. Peaks spotted on this day included Black, Corteo, Porcupine, Fisher, Masahchie, Kitling, Big Kangaroo, Hinkhouse, Gilbert, Copper Point, Concord Tower, Silver Star, The Needles, Dome, and Spire Point.
• Stats: 12.2 miles, 2200 feet elevation gain, and 5.1 hours total time.

Update April 17: (from North Cascades Highway 20 Facebook page; author Cindy Miller is from WSDoT): "Happy Thursday, fellow North Cascades enthusiasts, Repair and prepare

Update April 11 (from WSDoT Facebook):

"HIGHWAY UPDATE! This week, our eastside and westside met each other at milepost 159.3 - meaning the road is mostly cleared of snow. Things are looking promising for a potential April reopening.  We all good? Hands in the middle? Go team? Great. So, obviously, this means we’re getting close to the 2025 reopening date. The crew estimates another week or two of repairs. We’ll keep you updated when we know for sure."

Getting close!

Update April 5: May be in three or so weeks (from Scott Cronk,Admin).

Update March 28: Avoiding areas of high slide potential, crews are drawing near the horse shoe curves.  As the snow pack increases over 6 feet (and made be 15 to 30 feet deep or more in many of the slide zones), it has be either beaten down or pushed aside so that the snow blowers can operate.  As a result progress typically is fast at first, then slows as the avalanche tracks and increasing snow pack depths are reached.  Figures 1 and 2 illustrate this nice.  Final opening is achieved when the snow is cleared, the road surface and edges repaired, and avalanche and rock fall risk are greatly reduced.

Update March 23, Sunday (data from WSDoT's Flickr Site): By Friday, March 21, the road on the eastside was cleared to the Cutthroat Lake and Pass Road to the trailhead.  From the Flickr photo site: "Greetings from one of the prettiest work zones in the world. March 17 kicks of this years clearing work to reopen Rainy and Washington passes after a long winter. Work typically takes 4-6 weeks."

According to the Methow Valley News, Snotel and associated snowpack data for March 18, 2025 were 73 and 65% of median for Hart's and Rainy Passes, respectively,  These numbers promise a more rapid opening of Highway 20 and perhaps, on the negative side, more fire and smoke for the summer months.

The spring wait for the reopening of SR 20, the North Cascades Highway officially begins.  From WSDOT: Some states have psychic rodents, but in Washington, our first sign of spring is the start of the SR 20 North Cascades Highway spring clearing.

State Goal of WSDoT: Our crews on the east side of SR 20 North Cascades Highway will begin clearing at Silver Star gate (milepost 171) and will work west through the Cutthroat and Liberty Bell avalanche chutes. Crews on the west side will perform road repairs and other maintenance during the week.

Critical Information for Cyclists: We know you love to ride the road. Remember that the entire section of road (Ross Lake dam to Silver Star gate) should be treated like an active work zone Monday-Thursday. Work typically takes 4-6 weeks, but Nature has the final say. Last year after clearing the snow, a mudslide came down, closing the road. Clean up from the mudslide took several more days.

If you do plan to recreate behind the closure points on the weekend, remember that there is continued risk of avalanche danger and limited cell service in the mountain passes. Be sure to check in with Northwest Avalanche Center and to plan accordingly.

Ancestral homelands of the Nlaka’pamux, Syilx tmix (Okanagan) & Methow people

Trailhead parking lots snowed in at least 8". Roadside parking + a driveway turnout fitting about 5 cars has been plowed on each side of the road. Did not attempt hike.

Whoever made those tracks got in there before the highway got plowed.

Autumn is full on with winter on its heels. With friends in town we thought that we’d run up to Cutthroat Lake. Somehow this turned into Cutthroat Pass but that is okay too.

The trail was pretty wet in places and completely snow covered from about the half way point. The log crossing of Cutthroat creek is out which doesn’t matter much now but could be a problem next spring.

Snow was coming down pretty consistently with three-four inches on the ground at the pass. One Mtn biker got up as well today. All other hikers only went as far as the lake.

Larch have long since passed peak but the snowy branches more than make up for it.

Gentle grade for a few miles, and then suddenly you’re at the pass with stunning, expansive views of the snow capped mountains. The larches are long gone, but it only makes the landscape more open and dramatic as you take in the range.

Trail conditions

Started at 9am, and trail was firm and icy in spots. Rather muddy by the time I turned back around. Easy to navigate though as it’s just one route with numerous switchbacks. I explored an extra mile or so on the PCT, and heading right, it’s not very travelled so there’s a layer of snow on the ground.

Trailhead

Small lot located a short distance from the highway. Numerous potholes, some rather large, but some careful maneuvering will allow anyone to bypass them. 1 clean privy available, stocked with TP.