Washington Pass, at 1,669 metres, is the high point of the North Cascades Highway, and the view from the overlook is one of the finest in the Pacific Northwest. A short paved path leads to a viewpoint perched on a rocky outcrop, from where you look straight up at the sheer granite towers of Liberty Bell Mountain and the Early Winters Spires, rising more than a thousand metres above the road. Below, the highway makes a tight hairpin around the base of the cliffs and drops away into the valley of Early Winters Creek.
The pass is a favourite with climbers, who come to scale the granite spires, and with hikers, who use it as a base for trails into the surrounding wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the highway at Rainy Pass, a few kilometres west, and there are trailheads and parking areas along the road.
The riding over the pass is exhilarating. From the west, the road climbs steadily through forest and then across open slopes, with views of glaciers and peaks. At Washington Pass, it swings around the base of Liberty Bell in a dramatic hairpin, and then descends steeply on the eastern side, with long, sweeping curves and views down the valley. The asphalt is good, but rockfall can be a problem, and the road is often wet. Watch out for cyclists, who come in large numbers to tackle the climb.
The weather at the pass can be harsh. Snow lingers into July, and storms can bring rain, sleet and even snow at any time of year. The highway is closed in winter, usually from November until April or May, because of heavy snowfall and avalanche risk. When it reopens in spring, the snowbanks along the road can be several metres high, and the riding is cold and dramatic.
Washington Pass has a parking area, restrooms and the overlook trail, and nothing for sale. Mazama, the first settlement on the eastern side, is about thirty kilometres away and has a general store with fuel. Winthrop, a little further down the valley, has more services. On the western side, the nearest fuel is at Marblemount, which is more than a hundred kilometres away. Plan your fuel carefully, and bring warm layers even in summer.