GRANITE FALLS — The Mountain Loop Highway between Granite Falls and Darrington opened Thursday after its annual winter closure.

A 14-mile gravel stretch had been closed since December. It closes each year because of snow and dangerous winter conditions. Snohomish County and the U.S. Forest Service partner on maintenance work prior to reopening it in the spring.

More than 100 cars use the route daily in the summer, double that on weekends. It accesses popular hiking and camping spots, among them the Big Four Ice Caves and Barlow Pass.