The North Cascade Highway (SR 20) from the Skagit Valley to the village of Winthrop in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the USA. SR 20 is usually closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall, but I was able to do the drive when it opened a little early this year for one weekend, before it then closed again due to heavy snow from a Spring storm.

After leaving the Skagit Valley north of Seattle (below and previous post - Leica M9 camera with Summicron 50/2 lens) I headed towards SR 20 to take in the scenery and snap a few photos.

As I traveled along SR 20 there was beautiful scenery everywhere, like this stream off the side of the road (below, photo with M9 and SEM 18/3.8 wide angle lens).

There's a cool little company town called Newhalem that is nestled into the mountains along SR 20 that is owned by Seattle City Light and supports its Skagit Hydroelectric Project.

Below is a photo of Seattle City Light train # 6 in Newhalem (M9 with Summicron 50/2).

Here's a couple of photos of a nice little park in Newhalem with an electric rotunda (M9 + Summicron 50/2).

You've heard of an electric chair, well here is an electric bench in the rotunda.

There's all kinds of nice little touches in Newhalem like this stream and salmon sculpture in the park.

Here's a view of one of the dams outside Newhalem that supports the Skagit River Hydroelectric project that provides electricity to Seattle.

After leaving Newhalem I ran across all kinds of great roadside stops where you can get out and check out the scenery (M9 + SEM 18/3.8).

Here's a stop at Gorge High Dam.

There are lots of beautiful roadside trails along the way to check out.

From this trail you can look back down and see the bridge on SR 20 (in the center of the photo below).

As I continued down the North Cascade Highway towards Winthrop there were all kinds of gorgeous roadside views like this one between two pine trees (M9 + Summicron 50/2).

Another roadside scene (M9 + SEM 19/3.8).

Another couple ...

Well that's it for now. Next up will be going over the pass in the snow, then dropping down into Winthrop, and back up into the mountains at the Sun Mountain Lodge outside of Winthrop.