Glad the thunderstorm passed! Every time there's a shelf road with barely enough room for two vehicles is always a dangerous road in our book. But man, it's so gorgeous! Definitely worth the drive! I wish this is our backyard! You two take care ❤
Amazing video, you really captured the beauty of the area. Harts pass has been on my list for a couple of years. Ironically I’m heading up near there this week so I may have to fit that trip in as well. I’m glad it cleared up and you were able to see the epic views. Mountain peaks that seemingly go on forever are where I could spend all my days.
Definitely make the detour up there if you've got the time. If you drive up and drive back down without stopping too much, you could probably get up to the top of Slate Peak and back down to Hwy 20 in less than 3 hours (give or take)
Love your videos! I live in Seabeck and have been daytripping the Olympics off road.. I really want to get over to the North Cascades/Harts Pass before the weather turns.
It is SO worth the trip up Hart's Pass! I bet this time of year would be a great time to go. Less people and probably fall colors to. Glad to hear you love the videos. Thank you for your support!
Slate Peak is definitely the most Coloradoesque panorama in WA State. It's really the only place I can think of where you are above timberline on a road. The last time I went up, there was snow blocking us at the cut through at the PCT trailhead/parking lot despite the fact that temps had been in the high 90's as we came up 20 from the West. As you noted, it suffers from the typical WA problem of not alot of great dispersed camping sites in an otherwise gorgeous area. I can tell you the Meadows Campground was teeming with mosquitos the summer we went. We ended up camping just of NF-5400 above Rattlesnake Creek. As you noted, there are several roads that lead off over Hart's Pass. We tried to go to Barron via NF-700 but there was a washout which I knew I could get down but I wasn't sure I could get back up. NF-374 heads down to 2 very LONG roads that eventually dead end in the middle of nowhere. They are on my ToDo List but I think you probably need to commit a day to each of them.
Coloradoesque is definitely a good way to put it. I told Christine it reminded me vaguely of the landscape in the San Juan mountains! Those FS roads that split off look really intriguing. We had thoughts of exploring them....but like you said, they looked like a pretty big time commitment. I'm told there are still some active mines up there and the land owners aren't always super happy with people driving through. Not sure how true that really is though
@@WheretoNextOverland There's a fair amount of mine claims in the Cascades, even more down in Southern OR. You have to be a little bit careful because sometimes what looks like a spur to camp on is actually their access to their mine claim. Avoiding that, if you don't bug them, they generally don't bug you. It's kind of an odd concern they have that you might be stealing from their claim. Some, like the one just up past Liberty, have actual tunnels and big iron doors closing them off - they can be pretty wild to run across. TBH I often take the spur to take a look but stop and turn around if I see someone there.
REALLY nice video. I've directed people to Slate Peak for almost 2 decades but none of the YT videos I could send them to did even remotely as good a job capturing the experience as yours. Too many focus on the "dangerous" aspect, when, as you pointed out, the road is really quite benign. I really enjoyed your incorporation of the historical element and pictures as well. Next Time - Barron!
Thanks for the high praise! For sure, one of the reasons I was really excited to get up there and explore the area was that I couldn't really find any good videos on YT that showcased the road and views up at the top. We'll be back up there again for sure!
I’m from Canada and I passed thru the North Cascades on our way back to our campground this past summer and they definitely were the highlight of our trip. If I ever return I hope to visit this pass. Stunning views! 😍🏔️
Yes! There's definitely a reason the North Cascades is nicknamed "the Alps of Washington". Something special about those jagged peaks! If you're ever back in the area, that detour to get to the top of Slate Peak is definitely worth it!
Nice!! I had a feeling it was Hart's pass, my dad took me camping up there when i was maybe 20. Such a beautiful road but man it will get your heart pumping, especially if you meet another vehicle going the opposite way. I really wish you could add photos to comments on here, i have a pic of me standing on the Summit of Slate Peak...fast forward 26 years later I'm a total Peak Bagger lol
I’ll definitely try and go there nx summer. One of the “locals” told me it wasn’t worth driving up to Harts Pass when I was on my my way back from the Wabdr 🤔 views look amazing.
Locals trying to keep the spot under the radar I bet. If you go up, be sure to head all the way to the top at Slate Peak. The views from the fire lookout are insane!
Right?! I've lived in WA all my life and had never been up there until this trip. Gotta love that there's no shortage of amazing places to visit here in the PNW! I can confidently tell you that it's worth the drive, and the views from Slate Peak are RIDICULOUS. You won't be disappointed!
@@WheretoNextOverland that's what I thought. If you come to Port Angeles, let me know and I'll ping you a great ridge spot looking at Mt, Olympus. That said, has to be done before snow hits. We were just there this weekend and loved it.
@@seandawnvantures2001 right on! I'll hit you up next time we're heading that way. I've got a site or two in that area I can send you in return. Cheers!
Well then ... adding that one to the list to explore this summer. Thanks for the intel!! Edit: I just remember we've been there before. Haha. It's right along one of the WABDR sections, right?
@@WheretoNextOverland You're welcome, it's one of my favorite places. Start at the FS road at the end of the big dirt parking lot at the summit of Blewett pass, go all the way to the top thru the huge spectacular rock slope take the road to the right (south) on your right for a few miles will be camp spots with awesome views looking west into the heart of the Cascades, at one point there are a few spots that have a view of Mt. Baker, Stuart, Rainier, Adams and the tip of St. Helen's, it's the most spectacular spot I have ever seen a sunset from. If you haven't been up SR. 542 to Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker and Artist Point you must do that also, Mt. Shuksan is the most beautiful mountain in the world in many peoples opinion and Artist Point is where all the outdoor and hunting scenes for the movie the Dear Hunter were filmed, I put both places as equal to or better than Hearts Pass, if that's possible! Both places, especially SR. 542 should be avoided on weekends in the summer! Thanx for the videos.
I went to a spot 8500 feet up in the Olympic mountains and from there you could look down and see the hood and elk and Jefferson lakes it was around 1995 85 degrees that day and snowing on another mountain peak across the way there is a pond there like oxbow like full of rainbow trout. Have you guys ever been there and is the road to it still there?
Sounds incredible! Not sure exactly where you were, but the two highest roads I'm aware of in the Olympics are Deer Park Road and the road to Obstruction point. Both are INCREDIBLY beautiful .... but I believe they're only a little past 6,000 ft
Great question! It can be tricky, but there are a few general "rules" that apply. Technically, it is the vehicle going UPHILL that has the right of way. Of course, common sense and courtesy applies more often than not. Which ever person has the better option to pull to the side should do so. If it's a tight shelf road, on a flat road with nowhere to pull out ..... well .... someone is gonna have to back up. If there's a group of vehicles traveling one way and only one going the other, it'll likely be the single vehicle backing up. I can honestly say though, on all the shelf roads I've driven, I've never had an issue with this. People are generally very courteous and aware on trails like that!
The views up there make everything else underwhelming. Was up there mid summer. It’s an incredible place.
I couldn't agree more. Need to get back up there and explore some of the FS roads that branch off at the top of Hart's Pass!
Glad the thunderstorm passed! Every time there's a shelf road with barely enough room for two vehicles is always a dangerous road in our book. But man, it's so gorgeous! Definitely worth the drive! I wish this is our backyard! You two take care ❤
Thank you! Yeah, this was one of those roads where the payoff at the top makes it 100% worth the climb up a shelf road!
Amazing video, you really captured the beauty of the area. Harts pass has been on my list for a couple of years. Ironically I’m heading up near there this week so I may have to fit that trip in as well. I’m glad it cleared up and you were able to see the epic views. Mountain peaks that seemingly go on forever are where I could spend all my days.
Definitely make the detour up there if you've got the time. If you drive up and drive back down without stopping too much, you could probably get up to the top of Slate Peak and back down to Hwy 20 in less than 3 hours (give or take)
Love your videos! I live in Seabeck and have been daytripping the Olympics off road.. I really want to get over to the North Cascades/Harts Pass before the weather turns.
It is SO worth the trip up Hart's Pass! I bet this time of year would be a great time to go. Less people and probably fall colors to.
Glad to hear you love the videos. Thank you for your support!
Slate Peak is definitely the most Coloradoesque panorama in WA State. It's really the only place I can think of where you are above timberline on a road. The last time I went up, there was snow blocking us at the cut through at the PCT trailhead/parking lot despite the fact that temps had been in the high 90's as we came up 20 from the West.
As you noted, it suffers from the typical WA problem of not alot of great dispersed camping sites in an otherwise gorgeous area. I can tell you the Meadows Campground was teeming with mosquitos the summer we went. We ended up camping just of NF-5400 above Rattlesnake Creek.
As you noted, there are several roads that lead off over Hart's Pass. We tried to go to Barron via NF-700 but there was a washout which I knew I could get down but I wasn't sure I could get back up. NF-374 heads down to 2 very LONG roads that eventually dead end in the middle of nowhere. They are on my ToDo List but I think you probably need to commit a day to each of them.
Coloradoesque is definitely a good way to put it. I told Christine it reminded me vaguely of the landscape in the San Juan mountains!
Those FS roads that split off look really intriguing. We had thoughts of exploring them....but like you said, they looked like a pretty big time commitment.
I'm told there are still some active mines up there and the land owners aren't always super happy with people driving through. Not sure how true that really is though
@@WheretoNextOverland There's a fair amount of mine claims in the Cascades, even more down in Southern OR. You have to be a little bit careful because sometimes what looks like a spur to camp on is actually their access to their mine claim. Avoiding that, if you don't bug them, they generally don't bug you. It's kind of an odd concern they have that you might be stealing from their claim. Some, like the one just up past Liberty, have actual tunnels and big iron doors closing them off - they can be pretty wild to run across. TBH I often take the spur to take a look but stop and turn around if I see someone there.
REALLY nice video. I've directed people to Slate Peak for almost 2 decades but none of the YT videos I could send them to did even remotely as good a job capturing the experience as yours. Too many focus on the "dangerous" aspect, when, as you pointed out, the road is really quite benign. I really enjoyed your incorporation of the historical element and pictures as well. Next Time - Barron!
Thanks for the high praise! For sure, one of the reasons I was really excited to get up there and explore the area was that I couldn't really find any good videos on YT that showcased the road and views up at the top.
We'll be back up there again for sure!
I’m from Canada and I passed thru the North Cascades on our way back to our campground this past summer and they definitely were the highlight of our trip. If I ever return I hope to visit this pass. Stunning views! 😍🏔️
Yes! There's definitely a reason the North Cascades is nicknamed "the Alps of Washington". Something special about those jagged peaks!
If you're ever back in the area, that detour to get to the top of Slate Peak is definitely worth it!
Im glad you got to see that. I drive it several times a year to my property, with a 22 foot equipment trailer. That's a whole different experience.
Haha, yeah .... I would imagine a 22ft trailer would ramp up the 'pucker factor' quite significantly!
This is awesome! Been wanting to head up on this trail for a bit! Nice video!
It's well worth it, for sure!
Nice!! I had a feeling it was Hart's pass, my dad took me camping up there when i was maybe 20. Such a beautiful road but man it will get your heart pumping, especially if you meet another vehicle going the opposite way. I really wish you could add photos to comments on here, i have a pic of me standing on the Summit of Slate Peak...fast forward 26 years later I'm a total Peak Bagger lol
Nice! The summit of Slate Peak really is something else.
I’ll definitely try and go there nx summer. One of the “locals” told me it wasn’t worth driving up to Harts Pass when I was on my my way back from the Wabdr 🤔 views look amazing.
Locals trying to keep the spot under the radar I bet. If you go up, be sure to head all the way to the top at Slate Peak. The views from the fire lookout are insane!
Wow! What a view!
For sure! And it's one of those views where the camera just cant do it justice!
@@WheretoNextOverland I know what you mean! The camera never capture the depth and sheer expansiveness of the view!
i live in washington and i havent been there yet i gotta go so much of this state left to explore
Right?! I've lived in WA all my life and had never been up there until this trip. Gotta love that there's no shortage of amazing places to visit here in the PNW!
I can confidently tell you that it's worth the drive, and the views from Slate Peak are RIDICULOUS. You won't be disappointed!
Nice work. That looks like it's 4x4 van capable. Thoughts?
Oh yeah .... EASY. That road is doable in any vehicle. No height, width or clearance restrictions at all that we encountered.
@@WheretoNextOverland that's what I thought. If you come to Port Angeles, let me know and I'll ping you a great ridge spot looking at Mt, Olympus. That said, has to be done before snow hits. We were just there this weekend and loved it.
@@seandawnvantures2001 right on! I'll hit you up next time we're heading that way. I've got a site or two in that area I can send you in return. Cheers!
@@WheretoNextOverland awesome. For planning purposes this trail starts about 10 mins west of Lake Crecent.
The Lion rock area above and east of Blewett pass is an equal or better view, especially at sunset.
Well then ... adding that one to the list to explore this summer. Thanks for the intel!!
Edit: I just remember we've been there before. Haha. It's right along one of the WABDR sections, right?
@@WheretoNextOverland You're welcome, it's one of my favorite places. Start at the FS road at the end of the big dirt parking lot at the summit of Blewett pass, go all the way to the top thru the huge spectacular rock slope take the road to the right (south) on your right for a few miles will be camp spots with awesome views looking west into the heart of the Cascades, at one point there are a few spots that have a view of Mt. Baker, Stuart, Rainier, Adams and the tip of St. Helen's, it's the most spectacular spot I have ever seen a sunset from. If you haven't been up SR. 542 to Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker and Artist Point you must do that also, Mt. Shuksan is the most beautiful mountain in the world in many peoples opinion and Artist Point is where all the outdoor and hunting scenes for the movie the Dear Hunter were filmed, I put both places as equal to or better than Hearts Pass, if that's possible! Both places, especially SR. 542 should be avoided on weekends in the summer! Thanx for the videos.
I went to a spot 8500 feet up in the Olympic mountains and from there you could look down and see the hood and elk and Jefferson lakes it was around 1995 85 degrees that day and snowing on another mountain peak across the way there is a pond there like oxbow like full of rainbow trout. Have you guys ever been there and is the road to it still there?
Sounds incredible! Not sure exactly where you were, but the two highest roads I'm aware of in the Olympics are Deer Park Road and the road to Obstruction point. Both are INCREDIBLY beautiful .... but I believe they're only a little past 6,000 ft
What's the protocol if you happen upon another vehicle opposite direction on a shelf road?
Great question!
It can be tricky, but there are a few general "rules" that apply. Technically, it is the vehicle going UPHILL that has the right of way. Of course, common sense and courtesy applies more often than not. Which ever person has the better option to pull to the side should do so.
If it's a tight shelf road, on a flat road with nowhere to pull out ..... well .... someone is gonna have to back up. If there's a group of vehicles traveling one way and only one going the other, it'll likely be the single vehicle backing up.
I can honestly say though, on all the shelf roads I've driven, I've never had an issue with this. People are generally very courteous and aware on trails like that!