Chinook Pass Reopens; Rest Areas Still Buried

Chinook Pass on Washington 410 reopened Thursday, three weeks later than usual because of heavy snow in the Cascade Range.

There are still snowbanks as high as 20 feet near the summit, the state Department of Transportation said.

The rest areas east of the summit are still buried in snow and will be closed for at least another month.

Chinook Pass, at 5,430 feet elevation, is closed each winter and usually reopens by Memorial Day.

The latest opening was July 12, 1974, while the earliest opening was April 5, 1973. During the 1976-77 season, the pass was not closed.