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. The new snow worsened driving conditions on the passes, where compact snow and ice had already made for treacherous going, WDOT reported in a news release that was also posted on Twitter.

Chinook Pass is closed from Crystal Mountain Boulevard (which is about 12 miles northwest of the 5,430-foot summit) to Morse Creek (which is five miles east of the summit.) Cayuse is closed from Crystal Mountain Boulevard to Stevens Canyon Road.

The public can get more information for Chinook and Cayuse passes on a combined web page that updates the status of reopening and closing efforts on the highways. Current weather and highway conditions are also available.

 

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