Date:  Friday, May 15, 2009

Contact: Broch Bender, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4702 (Seattle)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509-577-1617 (Yakima)
Eric Walkinshaw, National Park Service, 360-569-2166.

MOUNT RAINIER – Cayuse Pass, connecting Chinook Pass and White Pass at the east end of Mount Rainier National Park, will open at noon today, Friday, May 15, 2009. The pass was originally scheduled to open Tuesday, May 13. WSDOT crews postponed that opening after a last minute snowstorm and avalanche danger threatened driver safety in the area.

Cayuse Pass will reopen within Mount Rainier National Park from the 4,675-foot summit near the White River park entrance (at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123) and on the south end at the junction of SR 123 and US 12 near the Stevens Canyon entrance.

Weather changes quickly at this high elevation so travelers should still be prepared for snow and ice on the roadway. Temporary short-term closures may still be necessary.

SR 410 Chinook Pass remains closed at the junction with SR 123 (milepost 65.75) to milepost 74.5 near Morse Creek. Chinook Pass received more than 5 feet of snow since May 1. Late season snow and high winds might delay opening the pass until after Memorial Day weekend. For more information on SR 410 Chinook Pass visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook.

WSDOT closes each pass for the winter due to high avalanche risk and hazardous driving conditions. Both passes have numerous slide areas that pose significant danger to travelers, WSDOT maintenance crews and park staff.

For photos of this year’s reopening effort and a record of opening and closing dates, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse.

WSDOT offers several ways to get construction information from our Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ before you leave your home or office.

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 www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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