Quick road update
Posted by mineralledger on January 8, 2009
SR 161 northbound is closed at 317th Street E and SR 161 southbound at 304th Street E due to water over the roadway. No detour available. SR 7 southbound is closed at Elbe. This is a manned closure, local traffic only south of Elbe on SR 7. This is because of flooding at Morton, but if you’re only heading to Mineral, they should let you through. I-5 is closed at Chehalis, as are the rail lines, and down to two lanes each direction in Fife, but people are still getting through.
So it sounds like from Mineral, you can get north on 7 to Spanaway, where there may be detours. From Morton, depending on how exactly they have closed 5 at 12, you might be able to get south to Portland. No one gets to go to Spokane, though.
Good news! The park seems to be ok, according to the News Tribune:
Mount Rainier officials have reopened the Nisqually entrance into the park.
The entrance was closed Wednesday evening as a precautionary measure.
Officials were concerned about flooding, which didn’t develop overnight.
The road between Longmire and Paradise is closed for snow removal.
The National Park Inn at Longmire is open.
