I-90 Closed for Epic Snowfall!

From the WSDOT pass report page for Sonqualmie Pass:

"Interchanges and Sno Parks between North Bend and Easton are closed to parking due to avalanche danger in the back country."

When did the WSDOT become the regulator of backcountry access? I understand they have their hands full and I appreciate the effort, but if they don't have the time or budget to plow sno-parks why don't they just say something like Sno-parks closed do to excessive snow conditions.

PassReport

Does that mean the Cabin Creek trails are in danger of a massive avalanche from Amabalis Mtn?

I concur that WSDOT has no place as the arbiter of backcountry decisions. I can imagine that they may have at least some plow-driver safety concerns about plowing parts of Gold Creek. I can also imagine that they'd be extremely concerned about enabling the snowshoeing hordes to get into avalanche terrain. I wouldn't want the deaths of a family or two on my head, were I a WSDOT coordinator. I suspect, however, that most folks won't make it very far out of the parking lots before they're tuckered out. The solution to the larger problem is, however, education and not regulation (and perhaps a little personal responsibility).

That said, as long as they're able to safely plow the parking areas with available manpower, I expect them to abide by the contract for which I paid $30.

Gold creek and Hyak parks are closed "indefinitely".
seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/349829_pass02ww.html

The avy forecast is scary - be careful out there.

Looks like we lost beloved OSOALP .

That weather station would be very difficult to knock out with an avalanche.

Impressive snow totals but still not as significant as 1990 with just less than 500" in 3-1/2 weeks at Baker. The biggest crowns (same day as Phantom Slide were 20-25 FEET! Record one week I recall was 109" in 4-1/2 days at Baker, 99" in 3 days at Stevens; and one day snowfall totals at Baker 48", Snoqualmie 44", and Crystal 65". Don't recall the years on the one day events, but probably the Baker totals were in the '72-'75 period, and Snoqualmie in the mid to late '60's. The Stevens event presaged the Yodelin avalanches of mid-January, 1971. The Crystal one day event was much more recent. I missed that one (thankfully). My sister described the skiers looking as if they were stuck in fly paper.

I don't think the DOT is trying to regulate backcountry access, but they do control the roads and parking and NONE of them are clear. They had SP and DOT workers at all intersections, Gold Creek and Yellowstone to keep people from parking since there was nowhere to park.. If someone was to park at the ski area and hike to the backcountry I doubt they would say anything, but with conditions as they are I don't think they would be the brightest bulb to go backcountry in this stuff.

From the WSDOT pass report page for Sonqualmie Pass:

"Interchanges and Sno Parks between North Bend and Easton are closed to parking due to avalanche danger in the back country."

When did the WSDOT become the regulator of backcountry access?  I understand they have their hands full and I appreciate the effort, but if they don't have the time or budget to plow sno-parks why don't they just say something like Sno-parks closed do to excessive snow conditions.

PassReport

Does that mean the Cabin Creek trails are in danger of a massive avalanche from Amabalis Mtn?

I suspect that that the lack of plowing on the sno-parks as more to do with keeping the WSDOT personel and equipment focused on keeping the road open and reducing traffic on I-90 after a difficult period. -- but releasing a safety oriented message is probably the right public relations choice compared to say -- "Sno-parks closed until the WSDOT crews get a good night's sleep and a little R&R after working 16 hour shifts for the past four days"