The Washington State Department of Transportation closed Chinook and Cayuse passes for the season Nov. 8, after reviewing a snowy forecast and assessing the avalanche risk.

In the span of just a few days, Chinook Pass had received more than 3 feet of snow, prompting the closure.

The closure points are at Morse Creek (five miles east of the summit) and at Crystal Mountain Boulevard (eight miles northwest of the summit). Access to the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort from state Route 410 is open.

Additionally, WSDOT and Mount Rainier National Park staff agreed to close SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) for the season. SR 123 is closed within Mount Rainier National Park from the 4,675-foot Cayuse Pass summit at the junction of SR 410 and SR 123 to Steven Canyon Road.

WSDOT closes each pass for the winter due to high avalanche risk and hazardous driving conditions.

For information on these and other mountain passes call 511 or visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/

Helpful tips on winter weather driving can be found at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/