2012- Chinook Pass/ Cayuse Pass- SR 410

Good week of progress. Check the WSDOT mountain passes page next week for updates about an opening date.

Nice work, John and crew.
I was up there last weekend and there is still a HUGE amount of snow up there.

WA DOT & TNT are reporting Chinook Pass is expected to open at noon on Friday, May 25th!

Whoohoo! Thanks guys!

Thank you for appreciating our efforts.

Today I had to close Chinook for the afternoon due to an avalanche. Investigation revealed it was caused by two skiers side-slipping their way into a steep avalanche path above the highway. They likely realized their mistake, traversed out of the path and then side-slipped again, only to cause a second slide. We can't take any chances, so I brought in additional crew and performed more ski cutting and such.

We have signs warning people that this is an area where avalanche control can take place. We don't have an official closure and I don't plan to pursue anything like that. BC travelers need to understand the implications of their actions, whether above a highway or another group of people. I'm sure the WSP would have a different feeling about affecting a highway, but the important point here is that when people are stopped by an avalanche they get out of their cars. If another slide comes down they are very vulnerable to that avalanche (i.e. being buried).

Try to encourage others to refrain from pushing snow onto an open highway. Events like today's will have a lasting impression on our management and may delay seasonal pass openings in the future. I don't want to see that happen.

On a side note- If the person who caused the avalanche reads this and they own the dark blue Subaru parked at the summit, you know the meaning of Instant Karma. The person who hit your car was turned around due to the avalanche. If the Subaru's owner wasn't responsible please know that the proper info was given to MRNP personnel who were on scene.

Cheers!