As part of the second phase of a planned rehabilitation of 10 miles of Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier National Park, that section of road between the intersection with Paradise Valley Road and Box Canyon will be closed beginning Tuesday, Sept. 4 through winter closure of that area of the park.
The announcement was made in a May press release by the park, and throughout the summer, visitors traveling through the area on weekdays were advised of 20-minute delays.
Visitors are still able to access Backbone Ridge, Box Canyon, and adjacent trailheads via the East Entrance near State Route 123 during the 2012 closure. Wonderland Trail hikers as well as day hikers are permitted to hike through the construction zone to access adjacent trails.
Stevens Canyon Road connects the east and west side of the park, extending for 19 miles from State Route 123 at the east end to intersect with the Nisqually to Paradise Road at the west end, tow miles south of Paradise. During the 2012 closure period, visitors are encouraged to access the Paradise area from the southwest via the Nisqually Entrance at the east end of State Route 706. Before winter closure, visitors traveling from the east via State Route 410, State Route 123, and/or US 12 who wish to visit the Paradise area are encouraged to seek alternate routes.
The Stevens Canyon Road work is expected to extend into mid-September 2013 but there are no closures expected for next year's season.
Updated information on this project may be obtained by calling Mount Rainier National Park at 360-569-2166. Information on this project is also available in Mount Rainier News Releases. For information on other Mount Rainier roads check Road Status.
