Cayuse Pass Opens Today, More Access to East Side of Park

From a press release issued from the Washington State Department of Transportation on Tuesday, April 26, 2016:

UPDATE: The pass opened to traffic around 3:15pm Thursday, April 28.  Crews were able to complete roadway damage repairs early and the highway reopened ahead of the scheduled noon Friday opening.

Despite roadway damage and debris, Washington State Department of Transportation crews have reopened State Route 123.  WSDOT and the National Park Service have been working to reopen the pass since the beginning of March.  Crews have cleared all of the snow off of State Route 410 between Crystal Mountain Boulevard and State Route 123 near Stevens Canyon Road.  However, roadway damage repairs are still needed this week prior to reopening, along with additional debris clearing work in the weeks ahead.

The great spring weather made snow removal a quick process this year, but the havoc left behind from winter windstorms is making clearing a challenge.  More than 40 trees came down over the roadway.

WSDOT Photo

Starting noon Friday, the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the Park will also reopen up to the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead, where public restrooms will be available.  The rest of Stevens Canyon Road is projected to open in late May.  White Rive Road and Sunrise Road via the White River Entrance remains closed.

Crews from the east side of the mountains are making progress in clearing Chinook Pass as well.  They hope to have it open by Memorial Day.