Winter weather has transformed the Cascade landscape and made mountain driving an interesting – and sometimes hazardous – proposal.

Looking east of Enumclaw and in advance of anticipated storms, both Chinook and Cayuse passes were closed last week by the state Department of Transportation. The closures took effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, and were still in place Monday.

The DOT noted the situation would be evaluated this week. Eventually both passes will be closed for the winter months, in keeping with snowy tradition. The closures generally occur in late November and last until approximately Memorial Day.

A year ago, Chinook Pass was closed on Nov. 16.

According to the DOT website, the passes are closed “due to avalanche danger, poor road conditions, lack of snow storage and no emergency response services within close proximity.”

Those factors make travel hazardous for the public and maintenance crews,” the DOT site says, so “the safest approach to managing these passes is to simply close the roads once winter conditions warrant the need.”

Sitting at more than 5,400 feet above sea level, Chinook Pass can see snow depths reach 30 feet or more. In the spring, crews can spend up to six weeks clearing the roads. Cayuse Pass sits at an elevation of 4,675 feet.

Much lower on state Route 410, the DOT last week was reporting compact snow and ice on the road between Greenwater and Crystal Mountain. Traction tires were advised on Nov. 22.

The North Cascades Highway (state Route 20), at 5,477 feet, has already been closed for the winter.