Jwredneck
Full Member
This was shared from the Washington State Archives. @nvrstuk you in these pics somewhere?
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On September 29, 1968, a historic "meeting of the jeeps" was held at Rainy Pass to celebrate the first official vehicular crossing of Washington's North Cross State Highway (part of State Highway 20, now desigbnated the North Cascades Scenic Byway).
The celebration marked the 75th anniversary of the highway project, which was first authorized by the state legislature in 1893. The timing was especially significant, coinciding with the recent passage of the bill establishing the North Cascades National Park.
Among the dignitaries who spoke was Governor Daniel J. Evans, who called the rough highway "one of America's most spectacular mountain routes." He was joined by U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson, U.S. Representatives Thomas S. Foley and Lloyd Meeds, and other state highway officials.
Due to the unfinished nature of the full route, only four-wheel drive vehicles were permitted to complete the crossing on the newly graded 20-mile stretch of "pioneer road" that connected the east and west ends of the highway. Despite the difficult drive, an estimated 3,000 spectators attended the historic event.
WSDOT photographs, Washington State Archives."
"
On September 29, 1968, a historic "meeting of the jeeps" was held at Rainy Pass to celebrate the first official vehicular crossing of Washington's North Cross State Highway (part of State Highway 20, now desigbnated the North Cascades Scenic Byway).
The celebration marked the 75th anniversary of the highway project, which was first authorized by the state legislature in 1893. The timing was especially significant, coinciding with the recent passage of the bill establishing the North Cascades National Park.
Among the dignitaries who spoke was Governor Daniel J. Evans, who called the rough highway "one of America's most spectacular mountain routes." He was joined by U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson, U.S. Representatives Thomas S. Foley and Lloyd Meeds, and other state highway officials.
Due to the unfinished nature of the full route, only four-wheel drive vehicles were permitted to complete the crossing on the newly graded 20-mile stretch of "pioneer road" that connected the east and west ends of the highway. Despite the difficult drive, an estimated 3,000 spectators attended the historic event.
WSDOT photographs, Washington State Archives."
