Mountain Loop Highway to Open Early 03/28/2014

As a result of the tragic events in Oso leading to a lack of access for Darrington, the Mountain Loop Highway has been plowed early and will be open in just a few days.

www.komonews.com/home/video/Mountain-Loo...-open-252463351.html

"Snohomish County has announced that the Mountain Loop Highway will open to traffic as a secondary option for the Darrington community as early as 1 p.m. today (note: they may open it even earlier). The roadway is primitive: dirt and gravel and one-way with pull outs in sections, 25 mph, not suitable for freight. Drivers should expect potholes and slow travel if they choose this route. "

In addition to access for those living East of the slide, this may be an opportunity to access some TAY turns in the mountains accessed off of the Mountain Look Highway.

You beat me to posting this

With the MLH open almost two months earlier than usual, I'm wondering what the ski touring options are in that area? Barlow Pass is slightly below 3k, but this video shows a substantial amount of snow along the roadside at the top of the pass. I know that sleds are commonly used on the FS roads in the winter, incl. for access to the Monte Cristo townsite, but having the MLH open for business with this much snow on the ground is certainly a game-changer and possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Things currently running through my head: Sloan Peak all the way back to the highway, the north face of Big Four (it's been done, a year ago ), and a traverse from Goat Lake -> Monte Cristo via Ida Pass. The latter piques my interest immensely, as I've always wanted to explore the far reaches of Goat Lake and I'm guessing right now it's still frozen enough to skin across to access Foggy Peak.

Thanks for the heads up. Anybody down for Sloan?

I've got Friday - Sunday off and would love to get into MLH for a day trip or multiday. I'll start looking at option, but I can leave ax early as LATE tomorrow night.

The road is considered open for emergency and local access only.  You should reconsider your plans.
SR530 Landslide

i was kinda thinking that, but you know how pesky those snow people are.
b