Two of the state's scenic Cascades routes, Chinook Pass (Highway 410) and Cayuse Pass (Highway 123), are now closed until next spring. The passes were closed for the season on Thursday after a state transportation department review of snow forecasts and avalanche risks that could cause hazardous driving conditions.

State avalanche forecasters studied the stability of the different layers of snow and determined the avalanche risk is too great to allow traffic to safely cross Chinook Pass, a DOT spokesman said. The snow pack is threatening to slide down onto the highway.

Crews temporarily closed Highway 410 gates at Morse Creek, five miles east of the summit, and at Crystal Mountain Boulevard, eight miles northwest of the summit, on Tuesday night, before the decision to close for the season.

The transportation department and Mount Rainier National Park staff agreed to close Highway 123 at Cayuse Pass for the season, within the park from the 4,675-foot Cayuse Pass summit at the junction of Highways 410 and 123 to Steven Canyon Road.

Both passes have numerous slide areas that pose significant danger to travelers. Those areas also have been known for lack of cell phone service.

Access to the Crystal Mountain ski resort from Highway 410 is still open.