Theme of Spring 2026: Flood damage

2nd worst flood in the past 50 years.

The central theme for spring 2026 is the damage done by winter flooding. The Washington Cascades were pounded by one atmospheric river after another coming from the South Pacific - seven of them from October 19th to November 13th. Then an almost (but not quite) record setting one that peaked the night of December 10th, was immediately followed by another large one, and then another on January 12th, and another large one on March 20th.

The resulting floods and mudslides destroyed the Suiattle River Road, cut through Highway 2 in two places, caused catastrophic mudslides in Stehekin and Holden, closed northbound I-5, damaged SR20, and more. We should expect additional damage reports to come in as snow recedes and hikers explore.

As bad as it was this year, 2006 was measurably 3x worse by volume whether you look at the numbers monthly, daily, or in 4 day blocks. November 7th 2006 still stands out as a remarkable 50-year record rainfall. PCT related damage was especially bad west of Glacier Peak and much of that damage has gone un-repaired.

North Cascades Highway (SR20)

Snow removal crews are almost done clearing the highway between Newhalem and Mazama, but they have exposed multiple areas of damage to the road. Estimated highway opening dates are still TBD.

Harts Pass Road Closed

On March 26th the US Forest Service announced that Harts Pass Road is closed pending repairs to winter flood damage. The closure begins at Monument Creek Trailhead. The USFS hopes to reopen the road in "early summer". For hikers seeking to bypass this road closure see alternate route Robinson Creek Trail

Stehekin Valley Road

The December rain caused Purple Creek to flood cutting out a section of Stehekin Valley Road and destroying the wastewater treatment plant that services the Landing, North Cascades Lodge, and NPS facilities. Government assistance is expected to focus on this repair as a top priority. The good news is that the road was not damaged between Purple Creek and High Bridge. There was also significant damage to Company Creek Road which does not directly impact PCT hikers. Repair work there has already begun.

Suiattle River Road Closed

Catastrophic damage to the Suiattle River Road has closed it indefinitely. This makes access to the middle of Section K challenging.

Holden Village Closed

More than 11 landslides on the Railroad Creek Road has Lucerne and Holden entirely closed, likely for all of the 2026 season.