Chains for Mt Baker?

I drive up that road so many times a season I could almost do it blindfolded. I grew up in upstate NY and drive an xterra 4x4 with unstudded hakkapeliittas so I'm pretty comfy rolling on ice to deep snow.

That said there is usually one drive a season, often in the afternoon, where the road turns to sheet ice and any brake touch is an immediate four wheel lockup. On that day I'm happy to put chains on the rear and creep down safely.

It's foolish to drive above 3k' in the winter without chains or studded snow tires. $50 is cheap compared to that nasty feeling of being over your head, on top of miles of descending ice roads with nasty drops off the side. Its way cheaper than a new quarter panel. Its a break even to the rounds of beer you'll hopefully stand at chair 9 after we pull you out  

I've been turned around at MRNP Nisqually entrance gate because I couldn't produce a set of chairs for my AWD Outback. Had to drive back to Ashford and rent some from Whitaker. Not that this destination is on your itinerary, but something to consider for the future.

I've got about 1 million miles of Upstate NY under by belt so I know snow and black ice too. Like your mountains, the black ice out and freezing fog here in the "land of no salt" is over the top. Gotta a shop for a muffler band aid or the Suby will stay home and we'll take the truck with 4WD and Studs.

To see the look on a PNW mechanics face upon viewing the underbody of an east coast car is quite humorous. A combination of shock and disbelief in what they are seeing.

A major tire distributor had, and maybe still has, a deal whereby you could return unused chains for a full refund at the end of the season after studded tires were no longer street legal (April 1 or 15?). I did that for several seasons until I needed them to get out of my 300-ft driveway. They are excellent quality, easy to install, and far better than a light pair that might break when you really need them. As others have mentioned, they are cheap insurance against auto body repairs and hospital visits. They came in a convenient zippered carrying case with handles. I have not used them since, but I throw them in the trunk whenever I might need them and get a quick upper body workout.

I've been turned around at MRNP Nisqually entrance gate because I couldn't produce a set of chairs for my AWD Outback.  Had to drive back to Ashford and rent some from Whitaker.  Not that this destination is on your itinerary, but something to consider for the future.

For real? Jeeebus I'd be pissed, especially considering they don't even open that road until it's scraped clean.

Les Schwab does have the deal where you can return them at the end of the season if unused.

I've been turned around at MRNP Nisqually entrance gate because I couldn't produce a set of chairs for my AWD Outback.  Had to drive back to Ashford and rent some from Whitaker.  Not that this destination is on your itinerary, but something to consider for the future.

That's definitely a drag on those few occasions when chains are required at the entrance booth.  The Ashford gas station has them too. 

If anyone runs into a similar problem in Longmire, chains are sold at the log cabin gift shop.  A former employee told me up to a third of their transactions are chain returns!  It's quite a farce really; he calls them 'prop' chains, something to show the NPS you are carrying chains, whether they fit or not.  You might have to stand in line at closing time to return them...

Goodwill used to have chains for less than $10.  Best to take a tape and not believe the box labels.