Blewett Pass

Blewett Pass (/ˈbluːɛt/),[2] at an elevation of 4,124 feet (1,257 m),[1] is a mountain pass in the Wenatchee Mountains (an eastward extension of the Cascades) of Washington state that is crossed by U.S. Route 97 (US 97). Named for Edward Blewett, a Seattle mining promoter of the 1880s,[3] it lies on the route of the historical Yellowstone Trail.[4]

Blewett Pass
Elevation4,124 ft (1,257 m)[1]
Traversed by US 97
LocationChelan / Kittitas Counties, Washington, United States
RangeWenatchee Mountains (Cascade Range)
Coordinates47°20′07″N 120°34′44″W

Unlike the many well known passes that lie on the spine of the Cascades, Blewett Pass lies on the divide between the Wenatchee River to the north and the Yakima River to the south. The highway over the pass connects Interstate 90 (I-90) between Seattle and Ellensburg, Washington with US 2 between Monroe and Wenatchee. The route from Seattle to Wenatchee over Snoqualmie Pass and Blewett Pass is a reasonable alternative to the more northerly route over Stevens Pass.

What is now called Blewett Pass was formerly known as Swauk Pass. It should not be confused with Old Blewett Pass, which is about 5 miles (8.0 km) west of the current summit at the slightly lower elevation of 4,064 feet (1,239 m).[5] Swauk was renamed to Blewett Pass in the 1960s after the completion of a new highway alignment for US 97, with locals preferring to keep the old name.[6] The old pass road is Forest Road 9715 and Forest Road 7320. The road closes for the winter so that seasonal recreation may take place. One should inquire about conditions with a Wenatchee National Forest office before driving the road upon re-opening in the warmer months.

References
  1. "Blewett Pass". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  2. Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. Seattle and London: University of Washington Press. p. 15. ISBN 0-295-95498-1.
  3. Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
  4. "Washington Mile-by-Mile". The Yellowstone Trail Association. Archived from the original on 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  5. "Liberty, Washington, USGS 7.5 minute topographic map via Topoquest". USGS. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  6. Gilje, Shelby (January 30, 1987). "Could you see your way clear?". The Seattle Times. p. D5.
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