STORMS CLOSE PARK ROADS.Byline: Kristin Jackson Seattle Times Rain and wind storms over the past winter have damaged many Washington back-country roads and trails and forced some closures, which may complicate hiking, hunting and four-wheel-drive trips. The damage on roads and trails ranges from monster potholes to washouts and downed trees. And with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service short on repair funds, it could be months before some popular trails and roads are fixed. One of the closures is in the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park Mount Rainier National Park (rānēr`, rə–), 235,625 acres (95,395 hectares), SW Wash., in the Cascade Range; est. 1899. The area is dominated by Mt. Rainier, a volcanic peak 14,410 ft (4,392 m) high. , where roads leading to the Carbon River and Mowich Lake Mowich Lake is a lake located in the northwestern corner of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State at an elevation of 4,929 feet (1502 m). areas have been washed out both within and outside park boundaries; there's no reopening date. Access to the Carbon River area by car likely will be impossible this summer. However, the Mowich Lake road is expected to reopen at some point this season. A major highway closure is Highway 123, along the east side of Mount Rainier National Park. Several hundred feet of the highway have washed out south of Cayuse Pass Cayuse Pass (el. 4675 ft./1425 m.) is a mountain pass in the Cascade Mountains in the state of Washington. The pass is about 51 km. southeast of Enumclaw on Washington State Route 410. The intersection with Washington State Highway 123 is at the pass. . No opening date has been set for the road, which usually reopens in late April or May once the snow has been cleared. The Highway 123 closure won't affect the White River entrance to the park, but the popular Ohanapecosh campground and trails will have to be reached from the south. For information, call Mount Rainier National Park, (360) 569-2211. In the Mount Baker area, the Glacier Creek Road (Forest Service Road 39) is being rebuilt and will be closed this summer at milepost 4 from July 8 through Nov. 1. Other popular areas in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington extends more than 140 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range from the Canadian border to the northern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. that have road and trail closures include the Cascade River The Cascade River is a placename that can mean:
For updated information, the Outdoor Information Center in Seattle at 220-7450. |
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