Washington Pass Overlook, North Cascades Highway

The Washington Pass Overlook, North Cascades Highway is one of those places I most always stop when I drive along the North Cascades Highway.

: Washington Pass Overlook

: Washington Pass

: Washington Pass Overlook

Most Overlooks are a one time deal, once you’ve seen it, no need to go back!

Um…. not the case here.

The Washington Pass Overlook is one of the most scenic spots along the entire Cascade Loop Scenic Highway. Crossing the North Cascades at Washington Pass and Stevens Pass, the Cascade Loop is one of the most scenic highways in the Lower 48!

: Liberty Bell from the Washington Pass Overlook

: Liberty Bell

The Washington Pass Overlook, North Cascades Highway is in the Okanagon National Forest, and maintained out of the office down in Winthrop. The Overlook is well marked, and the parking area is about 1/4 mile off the highway. There is ample parking, several rest rooms and some lights. There is a 200 yard paved path to the overlook, and lots of railings preventing a plunge.

: Liberty Bell and the North Cascades Highway

: Liberty Bell and the North Cascades Highway

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and Washington Pass

Night sky imaging, where you capture images of the Milky Way, only works well where you can escape the ambient lights from what passes for our civilization. Here are a few images from my many night time visits! This is one of the locations for the Drive-In Night Sky North Cascades Photo Tours.

: Liberty Bell and the North Cascades Highway

: Liberty Bell and the Milky Way

: Star Trails at Washington Pass

: Northern lights at Washington Pass

: Liberty Bell and the North Cascades Highway

: Washington Pass Overlook

: Liberty Bell and the Milky Way

: North Cascades Highway at Night

The North Cascades Highway closes each winter, usually in November and opens near the end of May. I am always excited for its reopening each spring and eager to visit again.