June 5, 2011, Cayuse, Chinook, Dewey Lakes

Headed up to Dewey Lakes from Cayuse Pass last Sunday.  Walked in a deep snow canyon on road (cut in by DOT) to the hairpin where we skinned up heading up and then along the south side of Naches Peak.  Snow was stable and seemed fairly consolidated, perhaps due to previous sun and the overcast sky this morning.  On descent to Dewey Lakes snow coverage is well above normal for June and the turns were great.  Released several small sluffs and donuts on this SE aspect as there were some sunbreaks by now.  Decided to head out via Chinook Pass route.  When we topped off at the saddle above Dewey Lakes we found very deep wet unconsolidated snow on a NE facing traverse.  Most everything up high on Naches and Yakima had slide earlier, as predicted by NWAC.  The bridge for the PCT over Hwy 410 still is totally buried!  The pioneering dozer cut from DOT is over the top of it - wherever it is.  Not surprised that DOT is now projecting late June for the Chinook Pass to open.  There still are lots of good turns to come up there!