SR 123 Cayuse Pass Closed for the Season; SR 410 Chinook Pass Reopened

A  combination of harsh weather and hazardous conditions led the Washington State Department of Transportation and the National Park Service to determine that State Route 123 Cayuse Pass will remain closed for the season.

Conditions for clearing Chinook Pass along State Route 410 are more favorable, and the roadway reopened at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 20.

“Weather permitting, we try to keep Chinook open as long as safely possible,” said Dan Floyd, WSDOT assistant regional administrator for maintenance.

SR 123 through Cayuse Pass is closed from the northern gates just south of Crystal Mountain Boulevard to the Mount Rainier National Park entrance. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is still accessible on eastbound SR 410.

Typically in November each year, WSDOT closes Chinook and Cayuse passes due to hazardous driving conditions. Avalanche danger, mountainous terrain and lack of cell phone service make for dangerous winter driving.