What Changed This Week

• SR 20 remains partially closed: The key closure is between Colonial Creek Campground and Porcupine Creek (mp 130 and 156) due to rockslides damaging the roadway in several areas. The closed work zone has no public access.
• Emergency repair work has started: WSDOT began emergency work to clear rockslide damage near Diablo Lake, but that does not make the highway a through route yet.
• West-side weather looks usable: Marblemount is forecast to be mild, with Saturday looking like the better day and a chance of showers later in the weekend.
• High-country plans are too early: Even where the east side has partial access, May is still early for Rainy Pass, Washington Pass, Maple Pass, Blue Lake, and other alpine routes. Snow remains on the trails and is reportedly difficult to traverse. 

Good Weekend For

• Low-elevation forest walks: Newhalem, Rockport, and lower corridor trails are the best fit for current access.
• Waterfalls and wet forest scenery: Ladder Creek Falls and the Newhalem area make more sense than trying to push into snowline terrain.
• Families and mixed-ability groups: Short walks let you adjust quickly if weather, closures, or parking change the day.
• Overnight base planning: Concrete, Rockport, and Marblemount are more useful this weekend than trying to force a pass-crossing itinerary.

Road and Access Conditions

• SR 20 / North Cascades Highway: Not a through route. Check the WSDOT North Cascades Highway report and WSDOT SR 20 alerts before leaving.
• Current closure: Both directions of SR 20 remain closed between Colonial Creek Campground and Porcupine Creek. Do not enter the closed work zone on foot, bike, or vehicle.
• West-side access: Plan around the accessible west corridor: Concrete, Rockport, Marblemount, Newhalem, and stops before the closure.
• East-side access: The east side is a separate out-and-back via a route other than SR-20. It does not connect through to the west side right now.
• Cascade River Road: NPS lists Cascade River Road closed to vehicles at Eldorado, milepost 20. Do not plan on reaching the Cascade Pass trailhead.

For a fuller road-and-access check, use Current Conditions before driving and Seasonal Access if you are trying to understand what normally opens later in spring and summer. If your original plan was to cross the pass, use What to Do if SR-20 Washington Pass Is Closed.

Best Plan This Weekend

Start with food, fuel, and restrooms in Concrete or Marblemount. Then drive east only as far as current access allows. Make Newhalem the practical center of the day: Trail of the Cedars, River Loop, Sterling Munro Viewpoint, and Ladder Creek Falls are the right kind of stops for this weekend.

If you want a quieter or shorter day, use Rockport State Park as the main forest walk and pair it with a meal, lodging, or backup stop in Rockport, Concrete, or Marblemount. If you are staying overnight, choose the base first rather than assuming you can improvise camping deeper in the corridor. Start with Where to Stay Near North Cascades if you are deciding between towns.

Best Hikes and Easy Stops This Weekend

Trail of the Cedars

Difficulty: Very easy. Crowd estimate: 3/5.

This is the safest default recommendation for a simple Newhalem stop. It is short, level, and works well when higher trails are still snowed in or cut off by road closures. Expect some other visitors, but the short distance makes it easy to pair with other nearby stops.

River Loop Trail

Difficulty: Very easy. Crowd estimate: 2/5.

This is a short forest-and-river walk near Newhalem that fits the current weekend better than trying to force a bigger hike. It is useful for families, slower groups, or anyone who wants a low-commitment stop before turning around.

Sterling Munro Viewpoint

Difficulty: Very easy. Crowd estimate: 3/5.

This is a short paved viewpoint stop in the Newhalem area. Use it for a quick look at the mountain corridor without committing to a long trail or pushing toward the closure zone.

Ladder Creek Falls

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Crowd estimate: 4/5.

This is one of the better wet-spring stops in the lower corridor. The main caution is footing: stairs and wet surfaces can be slick, especially after rain. It is a better fit this weekend than high-elevation hikes.

Best lower-corridor backup: Rockport State Park Trails

Difficulty: Easy. Crowd estimate: 2/5.

Use Rockport State Park as a flexible forest stop before going deeper into the corridor. The ADA trail is closed, and other trails may have storm debris, so do not oversell this as a fully accessible or clean-trail option right now. A Discover Pass is required for day use.

Crowd Outlook

• Busy: Newhalem’s easiest stops, Ladder Creek Falls, and any open roadside pullouts near the end of west-side access.
• Moderate: Marblemount services, Concrete services, and the main lower-corridor stops during midday.
• Quieter alternative: Rockport State Park or a shorter Newhalem walk like River Loop instead of clustering at the most obvious stops.

Camping, Lodging, and Overnight Plans

Do not assume campground access deeper in the corridor this weekend. NPS campgrounds along SR 20 use reservations during the main operating season, and early-season status can be affected by road closures, maintenance, and opening dates. Check official campground status before leaving.

There is no dispersed camping inside the North Cascades National Park Complex. If you need a reliable overnight plan, lodging in Marblemount, Rockport, or Concrete is the safer planning move than gambling on a last-minute campsite. For broader planning, use Camping or Where to Stay Near North Cascades.

Food, Fuel, and Last Reliable Stops

Do not count on solving food or fuel deeper in the corridor. Handle that before you commit to the park side of the drive.

• Marblemount: Last reliable fuel and snacks before the national park.
• Concrete: More services, including groceries, restaurants, and gas.

For a fuller services checklist, use North Cascades Corridor Essentials.

What to Check Before You Leave

• WSDOT pass report: Check the North Cascades Highway report for the latest SR 20 status.
• WSDOT SR 20 alerts: Check SR 20 alerts for the exact closure points and public-access restrictions.
• NPS road conditions: Check North Cascades road conditions for Cascade River Road, Thornton Lakes Road, and park road updates.
• Weather forecast: Check the NOAA forecast for Marblemount and adjust plans if rain, wind, or low clouds move in.
• Smoke and air quality: Check AirNow Fire and Smoke Map before a longer outdoor day.
• Campground status: Check NPS camping information or Recreation.gov before assuming a campsite is usable.

Safety Notes

• Respect road closures: Closed work zones are not alternate hiking or biking routes.
• Do not chase alpine trails early: Snow, ice, rough roads, and access gaps make many famous hikes poor choices before summer.
• Use caution on wet wood, roots, and stairs: Short trails can still be slick after rain.
• Cold water is still a real hazard: Lakes, rivers, and creeks are cold even when the air feels mild.
• Expect weak cell service: Download maps and key road updates before entering the corridor.

For rules, passes, dogs, road access, and general preparation, use the North Cascades Permits and Safety Guide.

Related Weekend Planning Guides