Sunrise Road Really?

I see that Sunrise road does not open until the June 28th.
Seems like a pretty late opening to me. I assume the road is probably clear already. Not that I have been having any skiing lately, but does anyone else see this as a crock of crap?

I see that Sunrise road does not open until the June 28th.
Seems like a pretty late opening to me. I assume the road is probably clear already. Not that I have been having any skiing lately, but does anyone else see this as a crock of crap?

Yes it's a shame...Dege looks in prime condition right now or at least will be after this weeks freeze/thaw cycles and from what I could see from Crystal, the road looks completely melted out.

Do you think you'll still remember how to ski after your long absence???

Do you think you'll still remember how to ski after your long absence???

Gawd I hope so...you can strap one of those ski harnesses that they use for kids on me in case I get to unruly.

In conversations with park employees, the opening dates are policy that is unrelated to work load or snow conditions. For examplel, Paradise Valley Road has been plowed to 4th Xing for months (and is being plowed from Canyon wye now); both ends are closed and it is not supposed to open until the last week in June. Last year they used PVR to run up hours on hand-operated snowblowers to fulfill a contract and occasionally for heli service for Muir but kept it closed to the public.

Plow operators told me months ago they could have Sunrise open in 2 weeks but park policy & managers say no and that the schedule is immutable.

IMHO, park policy is to concentrate public use in space and time without regard to cost in terms of quality recreation or even with relations to cost savings; it is simply for administrative convenience and they know from past experience that they won't get much public push back. Yet another park employee told me yesterday the park want to move to a 3-4 month open schedule.

Does anyone know if the Sunrise road is dry pavement right now? Can you ride your bike up it even though it is closed?

... this weeks freeze/thaw...

???

MOUNT RAINIER RECREATIONAL FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
424 PM PDT MON JUN 3 2013

.TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 10500 FEET.
.TUESDAY...SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 12500 FEET.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 13000 FEET.
.WEDNESDAY...SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 12500 FEET.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 14000 FEET.
.THURSDAY...SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 13000 FEET.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 13500 FEET.
.FRIDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 13000 FEET.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 14500 FEET.
.SATURDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 14000 FEET.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 14500
FEET.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 14000 FEET.
.MONDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 13500 FEET.