Local News

Weekday Closure at Washington Pass While Overlook Trail is Paved

By NCBI
Aug 19, 2011

Washington Pass parking area and overlook trail will be closed weekdays beginning Monday morning, August 22, 2011. The closure is needed for crews and equipment to pave the overlook trail at this popular stopping spot along Highway 20, west of Winthrop.

The gate along Highway 20 will be locked Monday mornings through Friday evenings for the next two or three weeks while the work is completed. To accommodate the increased traffic over Highway 20 on weekends the gate will be re-opened each Friday evenings.

A Forest Service crew is going to start re-paving the overlook trail at Washington Pass on Monday, August 22nd. They will be moving asphalt and machinery across the parking lot during the week. This closure is needed to provide for the safety of workers and the public and to minimize delays for completing the work.

"The asphalt has to be applied when temperatures are high in order to set properly," said Jennifer Zbyszewski, Methow Valley Ranger District Recreation Program Manager, "so we're working against the clock to finish the job before the cool fall weather sets in."

"We appreciate everyone's patience with the closures at Washington Pass this summer," she said. "The improvements being made to the overlook trail and railing will be long lasting and I think that when the project is finished, people will agree that the end product has been worth these interruptions."

For more information about the project at Washington Pass or about recreation opportunities on the Methow Valley Ranger District, please call 509-996-4000 or visit the forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/okawen.

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