Updated: Both Chinook and Cayuse Passes Closed for Season

Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass are closed for the season, according to an update from the Washington State Department of Transportation this morning.

The Chinook Pass closure extends from milepost 74.5 near Morse Creek to milepost 57.5 near Crystal Mountain Boulevard. Cayuse Pass is closed within Mount Rainier National Park from the 4,675-foot Cayuse Pass summit to Stevens Canyon Road.

The risk of avalanche is too great to keep the passes open, the update said. Chinook and Cayuse passes endured a combination of snow and strong wind that left snow drifts blocking both lanes of the highways. The next major storm is forecasted for Wednesday, Nov. 16.

“There are more than 100 avalanche paths on Chinook Pass that affect the highway,” said John Stimberis, WSDOT avalanche forecast and control specialist. “We need to protect the public.”

A winter weather advisory is in effect above 2,000 feet in the Cascades until 3 p.m. today.

In the Greenwater/Crystal Mountain stretch of State Route 410, an update Sunday afternoon indicated there were no travel restrictions.

A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will make driving difficult. Drivers who must be out in these conditions are advised to be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility.

More:

WSDOT Passes Page

NOAA Weather Page near Chinook Pass