“The Slot” The Amtrak Empire Builder Train 8 is seen heading westbound passing though a famous location on Steven’s Pass called “The Slot”. The Great Northern Railway built the original Stevens Pass line through the Cascade Mountains. The historic route was carved by John F. Stevens over 100 years ago. Stevens Pass stands at an elevation of 4,061 feet above sea-level in the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Mountains. Large granite outcroppings tower above the densely forested landscape w