[FredV]

The Chinook Pass road (Hwy 410) is not yet fully cleared of snow.

But most of the road is clear and dry.

So, if you want an early look at the snow up on Chinook, get on your bike and ride.

You could bring some snowshoes along and have the hills to yourself.

This is the rare time of the year that the road is free of traffic.

Park in the SnowPark lot at Hwy410 and Crystal Mt. Blvd

The ride is all uphill, but that is what your low gear is for. Maybe 12 miles to the top.

Enjoy the views at the top....  so much snow,  Mt. Rainier....

And relax as you coast back down hill to your car.

If the coasting back down replenishes your energy,  then ride the 6 miles up to Crystal Mt. Ski Resort.

p.s  The road to Sunrise is snow covered at the Ranger Station before the WhiteRiver campground.

[Bloated Chipmunk]

Cool, thanks for the info.    I'm anxiously awaiting the opening of Chinook/Cayuse Pass. 

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Home is where the hiking is.

[TwoFortyJeff]

I don't like to go fast so I would probably burn through at least a set of brake pads on the downhill. Cool TR though.

[Conrad]

Cool trip. I did a similar one in the early 90s, about the same time of year:

Parked at the barricade by Crystal Mtn Rd.

Strapped my skis to my bike. Biked the empty road up to Cayuse Pass.

That's where the plowing on 410 stopped. Left my bike at Cayuse and skied the deep untrammeled snow-covered road up to Chinook Pass.

Standing at Chinook Pass, thinking of continuing E on 410, I watched an avalanche sweep across 410 ahead of me. Adding its pile to several other avalanche piles in view along that stretch of 410. At which point it dawned on me that maybe I shouldn't be skiing that day and I headed home.

[GeoTom]

Thanks for the conditions update. I'm hoping it's open by next weekend as the cabin is off of 410 just before the Bumping River Road turnoff, and 410 is a shorter and nicer drive than the one through Yakima.

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This space for rent

[Quark]

Fascinating - each sentence is it's own paragraph!

Neat trip; thanks for the photoz!

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"The next couple of miles smelt like burnt turkey and kept reminding me of thanksgivings with my ex-wife. "

chris-mbhc, NWHiker's Bulwer-Lytton contestant for 2011

[puzzlr]

Great preview!

[tmatlack]

Dude!

I love how some folk can whip out a 12 mile ascent and say "Just use your low gear!"     

Great pictures.

Tom

[sarbar]

On DOT's website they talk about this years openings. Cayuse was supposed to open this week, but was delayed till Memorial Weekend most likely. They are saying that Chinook may not be open in time.

Partially it was due to 21" of snow falling in 7 days this month! Sigh.

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Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear And Beyond:
http://blog.trailcooking.com/

[iron]

looks awesome. i'd totally be up there this weekend if not for prior obligations. great idea though!

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“to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” -steve prefontaine

[peltoms]

anymore snow stratigraphy shots, there are four very distinct accumulation horizons, each representing an interval of heavy and uninterrupted snowfall.  berry nice

[Backpacker Joe]

[Hikingqueen]

Thanks for the sneak peak!

[henryrose]

Thanks for the tip!  I headed that direction this morning and had a really fun bike ride.  (see my blog for a trip report)

I found the road clear of snow and ice, but the gate at Crystal open and the road closed at 123 with a ranger watching over the gate intently.  No harm done, it was a gorgeous day to climb a hill on a bicycle.

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My acl repair and recovery blog.