Advice re: ACA routes over Cascades in April?

[tarheeltreehugger]

I'm planning a X-country ride when we move back east next spring. Due to the timeline, I have to leave in mid-late April. I know that's probably not the best time to leave, but it's what I'm faced with. So my question is - Which Adventure Cycling Association route would be feasible/best to cross the Cascades at that time of the year? I'd love to head up around Olympic NP and then cross over via North Cascades NP on the Northern Tier route. Sounds like 20 is closed through mid-spring, however, due to snow. The other options are the Lewis & Clark route via the Gorge and the Great Divide route which crosses near Sisters. Does anyone have any advice/experience on these particular routes or any other routes? I've sent emails to the ACA and North Cascades NP, but figured I'd ask here as well. Thanks in advance!

ThTh

Here's the ACA map website - http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/faq.cfm

[adventure]

I think mid-late April is still pretty dicey with any Cascades mountain pass. I haven't done it myself, though I was going to ride the Trans-Am route over Santiam Pass this past spring. I was going to leave on May 7, and when I checked a few days before leaving, ALL the west-east pass routes in Oregon were snowing and still hovering around freezing. It could've been that spring came late this year to the Cascades, but I think if you're going to try to bike any of the passes during that time of year, you have to be ready for snow and freezing temps.

Best bet would be going along the Columbia Gorge. I rode out that way this past April and the only snow seen was stuff high up on the hills.

You can always check the conditions of the mountain passes in Oregon with the Trip Check website:
http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCmap.asp?curRegion=0&mainNav=RoadConditions