Sunrise, White River Campground still closed at Mount Rainier

Two popular spots at Mount Rainier won’t be available for visitors until July.

Parks employees on Friday released photos that explain why: deep snow.

The Sunrise Area and the White River Campground on the northeast side of the mountain remain closed.

Sunrise is the highest eleva

tion where people can drive. Mount Rainier National Park officials say the road to Sunrise won’t open until July 8 at the earliest.

“That’s our best guess at this point,” parks spokeswoman Donna Rahier said.

Park road crews using bulldozers and a rotary snow blower are working daily to remove snow from the road and expect to reach the parking area at Sunrise early next week, she said. Once access is available, additional park and Washington Conservation Corps crews will be brought into the area to shovel out buildings and activate the power and water systems.

Since July of 2010, a total of 907 inches of snow have fallen at Paradise.

The record for the park is 1,122 inches of snowfall during the 1971-72 winter season.

“It’s hard to comprehend how much snow that is,” Rahier said.

Cool and wet temperatures have persisted into June this year. That has delayed snow melt in the upper elevations and slowed snow removal operations that began in March.

State Department of Transportation road crews have faced similar deep snow conditions on Highway 410, which have delayed the opening of Chinook Pass on the east side of the park. Chinook Pass is expected to open next week.

The White River Campground isn’t expected to open until July 1. The road to the campground is open and accessible for hikers.

All other park roads and areas are open.

Travelers should check the park’s website to get updated information on road and trail conditions, services and activities. Go to www.nps.gov/mora.

June 21 marks the first day of summer and the next free fee day at Mount Rainier National Park and all other national parks charging entrance fees across the nation.