December 2025 Storm Impacts to Winter Access in Washington

Kyle McCrohan
4 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Intense rainfall and flooding has wreaked havoc for local communities, and caused significant damage to infrastructure across the state. As snow returns to the mountains, Cascade Backcountry Alliance reminds everyone to be mindful of the communities most impacted by the flooding, respect road closures, and be patient with repairs.

This reflects the state of winter recreation access as of December 18th, 2025. For the most up to date information on road conditions, check out the WSDOT real time map.

US 2 / Stevens Pass

US 2 is closed between Skykomish and Tumwater Canyon (MP 50-99). It will likely remain closed for months.
In Tumwater Canyon, there is a significant washout where one lane fell into the Wenatchee River.
Stevens Pass is currently inaccessible.
Leavenworth is still accessible via I90 and Blewett Pass.

US2 wash out in Tumwater Canyon. Source: WSDOT

I 90 / Snoqualmie Pass

There are no full closures of I90, but currently eastbound at approximately Mile 36 (just east of North Bend) is reduced to two lanes due to a developing washout. This will likely add travel time

Highway 410 / Crystal Mountain

There is a washout along 410, limiting vehicle traffic to one lane.
Update 12/18/25:
In collaboration with WSDOT, Crystal Mountain has agreed to cap the number of parking reservations offered to reduce the number of travelers on Highway 410 while the interim solution is in place, which is expected to last at least through January 31st and is subject to change.
Reservations are now required seven days a week, all times, including afternoon arrivals, during this interim solution.
Only guests with parking reservations will be able to park and ski at Crystal Mountain.
These new parking reservations are now available through January 31, free of charge within a 7-day window and $10 for bookings outside of 7-days.
Guests who have already purchased mid-week or weekend daily tickets but no parking reservation must book parking here, or carpool with another guest who has a reservation via the SP+ Carpool App, available for download from the App Store.
The Enumclaw Expo Center parking lot will continue as Crystal’s park and ride location.
Once daily tickets are sold out online, guests with a parking reservation, or carpooling with someone who has one, can buy tickets on-site at Guest Services.
The Crystal Mountain Express Shuttle Service from the Enumclaw Expo Center will not be running at this time. Existing shuttle reservations for this weekend will have a first right of refusal for parking reservations. Sp+ will reach out via email approximately 4 p.m. today.
Guests should not attempt to visit Crystal Mountain without a parking reservation. Guests without a parking reservation will be turned away, creating unnecessary stress on the interim plan.
For more details, see Crystal Mountain's mountain report.

Highway 542 / Mt. Baker

Highway 542 is currently closed at Canyon Creek Road (MP 36) due to debris flow over the road.
However, Mt. Baker Ski Area is still targeting Saturday, December 20th for opening day, so they expect the road to be cleared quickly.

Highway 12 / White Pass

Highway 12 is currently open, but there are some minor detours around Naches and on the west side.

Highway 20 / North Cascades

Highway 20 was closed seasonally prior to the flooding event.
On the east side, debris flows from the Cedar Creek Fire have covered the road between the Early Winters Gate and Silver Star Gate. Because of this, the road is closed back at the Early Winters Gate.
On the west side, the highway is currently closed at Bacon Creek (MP 113), well before the typical winter closure at Ross Dam.

Debris flow over Highway 20 near Early Winters. Source: WSDOT.

Highway 20 past Marblemount (MP 112). Source: WSDOT.

Highway 530

Highway 530 is currently closed between Darrington and Rockport.

Blewett Pass

Blewett Pass is currently open.

Paradise / Mt. Rainier

Paradise remains open, pending weather conditions and staffing.

Other Notable Damage

There will likely be many damaged forest roads, but this is what we know so far:

The Suiattle River Road washed out badly around MP 4.5. There are additional wash outs further down the road.
The Index Galena Road washed out before the Troublesome Creek Campground.
Glacier Creek Road has two significant washouts around MP 3.5-4.
There were many washouts on the Palouse to Cascade Trail, both west and east of Snoqualmie Pass. Washouts between Hyak and Easton may impact the ability for Sno-Parks to groom the P2C for nordic skiing this winter.
There is a debris flow across the Icicle Creek Road at MP 8, but this is around where it is typically gated for the winter.
Minor washouts have been reported on the Beckler River Road and Baker Lake Road.
There is debris on the Cascade River Road at MP 4.5. Additionally, the Rockport Cascade Road has washed out.
The Anderson Watson Lakes Road has washed out.