It's that time of year again -- Chinook and Cayuse passes on State Routes 410 and 123 in Mount Rainier National Park have closed for the season, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced this morning (Nov. 29).
State crews had temporarily closed the passes last week, just before a snowstorm dropped several feet of snow...
Springtime cues crews up to Chinook Pass. After a careful assessment last week, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance workers began clearing the 5,430-foot pass. Each year crews blast, plow and blow their way through 20 to 30 feet of snow to clear the highway...
Highway crews closed Chinook and Cayuse passes early Monday morning after multiple snow slides. After further inspection, maintenance and avalanche teams decided to close the passes for the rest of the season.