Date:  Thursday, May 27, 2010

Contact: Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications Manager, (509) 577-1617

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WSDOT reopens Chinook Pass in time for Memorial Day Weekend

YAKIMA - WSDOT maintenance and avalanche crews will open State Route 410 over Chinook Pass on Friday, May 28, at noon.
“A cooler, wetter spring resulted in several more inches of snow in May, which delayed our efforts. However, the avalanche crew and equipment operators worked hard in order to open in time for the Memorial Day weekend,” said John Stimberis WSDOT Avalanche get it Forecaster.

Chinook Pass is one of the state's highest mountain passes (elevation 5,430 ft). Drivers should be aware that the potential for winter driving conditions still exists and to watch for rocks in the roadway. WSDOT crews will clear debris as needed.

Instead of a steady melt-down of the snow pack, the snow kept piling up a total of five feet of snow fell in April and May.

Chinook Pass has been closed since Nov. 8, 2009, 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 is designated as 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.htm

The earliest Chinook Pass opened was April 5, 1973. The latest opening was July 12, 1974.

For historic pass closure dates visit: wsdot.wa.gov/winter/passdates

View 2010 Chinook Pass opening photos on Flickr.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/.

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