Cayuse Pass Reopens after Winter Closure

Editor's Note: The following is a press release issued by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

MOUNT RAINIER – A scenic spring and summer driving route through Mount Rainier National Park reopens today.

After more than two months clearing deep snow, avalanches and debris from the highway over Cayuse Pass (elev. 4,675 ft), crews will unlock the winter gates at noon on State Route 410 at Crystal Mountain Boulevard and State Route 123 near Stevens Canyon Road. 

The highway over Cayuse Pass provides access to the east side of Mount Rainier and it’s a popular and picturesque shortcut between Enumclaw and US 12.

WSDOT crews closely coordinate the opening of the highway with the National Park Service, which must clear the east-side entrances to the park, plow roads, install road signs and restore visitor facilities. Some roads and facilities within the park may still be closed. Visitors can check the Mount Rainier website at www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit for more information.

West side WSDOT crews are also working on clearing SR 410 from the Cayuse Pass summit over Chinook Pass (elev. 5,430 ft.). That section of SR 410 remains closed. A maintenance crew started clearing from the east side of Chinook Pass in mid-April. Crews hope to have Chinook Pass open by Memorial Day weekend.

WSDOT closes both passes each winter due to high avalanche risk.