SR 410: Chinook Pass to open at noon on June 5
Mileposts: 75-57
WSDOT crews prepare to open SR 410 Chinook Pass at noon June 5
Traffic is restricted to one lane, three miles east of the summit
WSDOT maintenance and avalanche crews concur that State Route 410 over Chinook Pass will be ready to open at noon on Thursday, June 5, with a short section restricted to one lane. “The road and shoulders are clear of snow and the threat of avalanche is minimal,” said WSDOT Avalanche Forecaster John Stimberis.
The highway will be restricted to one lane for a short distance, three miles east of the summit, due to a washout that undermined a portion of the roadway. Drivers will need to stop at the stop sign, check for oncoming traffic and proceed cautiously through the one lane.
Drivers should be aware that the potential for winter driving conditions still exists at high elevation (snow level Thursday night through Friday will be at 4,000-4,500 ft) and to watch for rocks in the roadway. WSDOT crews will clear debris as needed.
The long, cold, snowy winter delayed snow removal efforts. Instead of a steady melt-down of the snow pack, the snow kept piling up at a rapid rate until it finally stopped snowing, for a few weeks, on May 13.
Chinook Pass has been closed since Nov. 29, 2007, from the intersection of SR 123 and SR 410 (three miles west of the summit), to Morse Creek (5.5 miles east of the summit). A five-mile stretch just east of the summit is located along the steep slope of an avalanche area, which makes it too dangerous to keep open during the snowy winter months.
Chinook Pass (elevation 5,430 ft) is designated a National Scenic Byway, an All American Road, and an entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Commercial vehicles are prohibited at all times. Mount Rainier National Park information can be found online at www.nps.gov/archive/mora/home.
The earliest Chinook Pass opening was April 5, 1973. The latest opening was July 12, 1974.
To see photos and descriptions of the snow removal efforts visit:
flickr.com/photos/wsdot/
For historic pass closure dates visit:
wsdot.wa.gov/winter/passdates
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