North Cascades Scenic Highway (Route 20)

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades

Is the state's DOT webpage for this highway. They close it in the fall, like about now, when the snow starts to accumulate and threaten avalanches. They plow it in the spring, aiming to open by early May to assist the tourism around Winthrop.

The last couple of years there have been closures on WA20 latter in the summer due to wild fires and storms (washouts and mudslides).

Travel glampers wrote:
Is the North Cascades Scenic Highway (Route 20) a suitable road for towing a 34-ft fifth wheel? We want to travel it next July going from east to west. We are planning to camp in Winthrop first, then travel west, then north to camp within reach of Mt. Baker Highway. We welcome any suggestions or recommendations. Thanks.

We've pulled trailer over 20 several times, a few tips.
Never leave Twisp with out a full tank of fuel. next fuel is Marblemount. nothing at Nehalem.
The parking lot at the Red Barn Community center, at the west end of Winthrop is the best place to park and walk around the town.
The up hill pull starts at Mazama, it is the steep side and about 12-15 miles to the top of Washington Pass at 5400' the steepest portion is the last 6-7 miles.
Camp grounds we use, Loup Loup state forest camp ground between Okanogan and Twisp, no hook ups. no dump station.
Colonial Camp ground on Lake Diablo It's a state camp ground with no hook ups either.
Nehalem to the coast is mostly flat but winding along the river. (watch your speed)
Concrete is the first grocery store you'll find after leaving Twisp.
Baker lake and it's many camp grounds is about 20 miles north of Highway 20 at Birdsview (don't blink you'll miss it). Birds view has two full hook up private campgrounds (KOA and another) well marked by signs on the highway.
The intersection to I-5 is at Burlington which has all the big box stores. When going north on I-5 use the "Cook Road" cut off from Sedro-Woolley (nasty local traffic on 20 from there to 5).

hope you enjoy our portion of paradise while you are here. PM us with more questions. if you wish.

here is some information about the park and highway.
North Cascades National Park

Travel glampers wrote:
Is the North Cascades Scenic Highway (Route 20) a suitable road for towing a 34-ft fifth wheel? We want to travel it next July going from east to west. We are planning to camp in Winthrop first, then travel west, then north to camp within reach of Mt. Baker Highway. We welcome any suggestions or recommendations. Thanks.

WA 20 is a nice road. Very scenic too.
My wife and I stayed here. It's a shorkwalk to distance to downtown.

DSC01810 by orbiker, on Flickr

And nice camp sites.
DSC01811 by orbiker, on Flickr

We took the tent and bike for this trip.
DSC01820 by orbiker, on Flickr

Part of downtown.
DSC01818 by orbiker, on Flickr

Remember WA 20 is pretty far north so the snow can be there any time it wants, especially before July.

Ed C wrote:
We usually take US 20 from Idaho to Newport, OR. After Sisters you have to pay attention, but it's a nice ride. We are 41' with a full size pickup toad. As long as you take your time, you'll be fine.

Sorry sir you miss read the OP. He asks about the North Cascades -route in WA. not the OR.route to the coast.
Now to the OP. We pulled that highway a couple of times with our 32 ft. fifth wheel - always west to east. East to west will be a bit steeper uphill pull but you should have no trouble, except perhaps for slowness. Enjoy that beautiful highway!

On edit amandasgramma made the same mis-read!!

Looks like there's more than one Route 20. Never mind all that other stuff.

OP is talking about WA 20 not US 20.
WA 20 is a good trip. There is west bound a good climb up Washington Pass. Just take it easy on climb. Great look out right at the top.
West side of Cascades is slower decent. Road gets narrow around Newhalem. There should be resident eagles near Rockport.
Get fuel in Twisp or Winthrop as there isn't any until Newhalem. Winthrop is a western motif town.

Yip -- can be done. You going that route for a view? Hwy 20 then cut to the right and do 22 into Salem is a good drive (a little tight around Detroit Lake dam). Either is good and shouldn't have any snow by July......:)

We usually take US 20 from Idaho to Newport, OR. After Sisters you have to pay attention, but it's a nice ride. We are 41' with a full size pickup toad. As long as you take your time, you'll be fine.