CHINOOK PASS, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Transportation Department reopened Chinook Pass Thursday, about a month later than it typically takes to clear snow from the 5,430-foot-high pass on Highway 410 between Enumclaw and Naches.
The pass provides the east entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park says the road to the Sunrise visitors’ center at 6,400 feet has been cleared. Crews are still digging out buildings and working to restore power and water service.
Superintendent Dave Uberuaga (yoo-bur-AH’-gah) said Thursday he can’t say for sure that Sunrise would be open for the Fourth of July, but he hopes to have minimal service, such as portable toilets. Visitors would find snow 6 feet deep.
Uberuaga says full service — toilets, food, exhibits — won’t be open until July 8 at Sunrise.
