…taking a trek to the very top of the Capitol building is no longer possible?

More than 10 years ago, the top of the dome (or as some refer to it,  “the cupola”) was closed off to the general public due to safety issues.  The spiral staircase of more than 200 steps was deemed unsafe if someone was injured and needed medical attention.  Maneuvering a stretcher was nearly impossible up the narrow staircase.  

Today, only maintenance and a few local birds make their way to the top … and those lucky folks get a breathtaking 360-degree view of Olympia, the Olympics and Mt. Rainier.