WSDOT eastside avalanche and roadway crew members worked hard to have Chinook Pass open before the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The two dogs belong to avalanche control personnel and are trained in locating buried avalanche victims.


Travelers make their way past the Morse Creek entrance on Chinook Pass during the Memorial Day weekend travel 


WSDOT snow removal crews reached the Chinook Pass summit in late May


Crews cut through the deep snow as they continue snow removal on Chinook  Pass.


A 700 horse power snow blower is needed to throw the snow over the high walls on Chinook Pass


View of Mount Rainier from the Chinook Pass summit


May 11, 2006 - Dozers and snowblowers continue snow removal


May 11, 2006 - An up-close look at the rock crusher site where fill material is being gathered to help fix the washout area


May 11, 2006 - Snow removal crews plow through the snow to clear the roadway


A snowblower attacks the 30-foot wall of snow covering this section of SR 410 May 2, 2006.


A dozer works ahead of the snowblower, breaking the snow down for removal May 2, 2006.


The challenge in opening Chinook Pass is evident. (May 2, 2006)


A 2005 washout swept away this 55-foot section of the eastbound lane of SR 410. Repairs to the roadway will be completed as the snow is removed from other parts of the roadway. (May 2, 2006)


WSDOT Maintenance Superintendent Don Wherry inspects guardrail damaged by the 2005 washout May 2, 2006.
 

WSDOT crews use a snow blower to begin snow removal efforts on Chinook Pass.


Snow removal crews plow through snow that currently is 8-10 feet deep on average with drifts up to 25 feet deep.


WSDOT crews use a dozer to clear the roadway on Chinook Pass.


A snow retaining wall at Chinook Pass is completely covered by the 235" of snow at Chinook Pass over the 2005-2006 winter season.


A closeup view of the snowpack at Windy Point, Chinook Pass, March 2006.