Plowing halted on scenic passes

MAZAMA — Eastern Washington residents wanting to use highways through scenic mountain passes to get to the Puget Sound area or Pacific Ocean are going to have to wait.

On Thursday, state Transportation Secretary Roger Millar ordered plowing halted in Washington passes.

Effected passes include:

Washington Pass accessed via North Cascades Highway (state Highway 20). The pass connects the Methow Valley to the Sedro-Woolley area

Cayuse Pass on state Highway 410. Cayuse Pass connects Naches to the Enumclaw.

Chinook Pass, which connects state Highway 410 to the east entrance of Mount Rainier Nationa...