Chinook Pass Guess

I got asked for best guess on Chinook opening so I'll take a swing. Weather is in charge as usual, fairly large avalanches released last week with explosives and re-buried the road for about 1/4 mile average 8'-10' deep on the east side of the pass. Also EZ to ski-trigger wet loose slides that got quite large entraining most of the remaining snow in the paths. The good news is most of the hazard taken care of and crews should get the road cleared again this week. You can never tell what DOT management will do, especially as it is still fairly early and it can snow plenty in May (Gotta hope so!). If they open it, then they have to provide snow and rock patrols, and weekend coverage. Now I'm getting too long winded, so the wild guess is that they will open Thursday 4/28 or Friday 4/29 unless the weather forecast looks like more snow coming. If it does open, please be careful about triggering slides on slopes above the road, especially west Yakima Peak and knobs east of the pass. Thanks.

Thanks, Gib, good info.<br>We appreciate it.

I got asked for best guess on Chinook opening so I'll take a swing. Weather is in charge as usual, fairly large avalanches released last week with explosives and re-buried the road for about 1/4 mile average 8'-10' deep on the east side of the pass. Also EZ to ski-trigger wet loose slides that got quite large entraining most of the remaining snow in the paths. The good news is most of the hazard taken care of and crews should get the road cleared again this week. You can never tell what DOT management will do, especially as it is still fairly early and it can snow plenty in May (Gotta hope so!). If they open it, then they have to provide snow and rock patrols, and weekend coverage. Now I'm getting too long winded, so the wild guess is that they will open Thursday 4/28 or Friday 4/29 unless the weather forecast looks like more snow coming. If it does open, please be careful about triggering slides on slopes above the road, especially west Yakima Peak and knobs east of the pass. Thanks.

<br><br><br>Thanks for the reply!!!

I would lay my bet on Thursday the 28th.

News Update: <br>April 27, 2005<br><br>Chinook Pass will open for the season to passenger car and bicycle traffic on Thursday, April 28, at noon.<br><br>