Washington pass, Mountain pass in North Cascades, Washington, US

Washington Pass is a mountain pass on State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, at 1,669 meters (5,477 feet). Rainy Pass, at 1,486 meters, lies about 4 miles west. The highway crosses the Cascade Range here from west to east, and a short 0.2-mile spur, the Washington Pass Overlook Trail, leads north to a viewpoint above Liberty Bell Mountain and the road 210 meters below.

The pass served as an important trade route for Native American peoples before becoming part of State Route 20. The modern highway follows this historical pathway and connects Whatcom and Okanogan counties.

The Washington Pass Overlook Trail, a 0.2-mile path designated a National Recreation Trail in 1978, leads to a viewpoint over Liberty Bell Mountain and the highway 700 feet below. The pass is also the starting point for approaches to climbing routes on Liberty Bell.

The road remains closed from late November through early May due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risks in the area. Visitors should check weather conditions and plan to travel during the open season, as conditions can change rapidly.

The area experiences some of the highest avalanche occurrence rates per mile of highway in the United States. The steep mountain slopes and snow-heavy environment create conditions where slides happen frequently along this corridor.