SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The North Cascades Highway is nearing its return.

WSDOT says crews began their annual clearing of the road on Monday, March 23.

The agency says there’s less snow than usual this year, but half a dozen avalanche debris piles will take some time to clear.

The team started at Early Winters and is heading west in what’s now an active work zone Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WSDOT is asking travelers not to go behind the closure points while crews are working. The highway’s seasonal closure between Ross Dam trailhead and Silver Star gate began last December.

It’s also still closed in both directions at Diablo Lake after a large rockslide hit the roadway.