Heading out this weekend? There is extreme avalanche danger through Sunday, and backcountry travel near avalanche terrain should be avoided. Highway 20 (the North Cascades Highway) has been closed.

We expect hikers will be out enjoying the wonderful warm temperatures this weekend, but is critical that you pack an extra dose of caution in your backpacks. Very warm temperatures will lead to rapid melting of the record snowpack we have in the Cascades and Olympics. Low-to mid-elevation hikes with river and stream crossings could present serious hazards in a case like this. Streams and rivers will be swollen with snowmelt and running high. Crossings should be taken with extreme care.

Remember that it was in conditions such as this that two hikers tragically died last year while crossing a swollen creek at Mount Rainier National Park. If you have any concern about a stream crossing, turn around. And remember that streams can run higher even over the course of a few hours, so plan accordingly.

Avalanche info: http://www.nwac.us/
Contact local ranger stations for the latest conditions.