Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton/Stacy Topping, USA; Kyle Stanton-Wyman, North Bend, WA
Page Contributor(s): Bruce Hamilton/Stacy Topping, USA; Kyle Stanton-Wyman, North Bend, WA
Cycling Chinook Pass, Washington
Ride 12.5 miles gaining 3,206’ at 4.8% average grade.
This is a wonderfully scenic bike climb in northern Washington, 90 miles southeast of Tacoma and within ten miles of Mt. Rainier at locations along the climb. Mount Rainier is in the Cascade Subrange of the Pacific Coast Mountain Range.
Begin the climbin the heavily forested Mount Rainier National Park.
Photo left - Chinook Cascades at mile 2.1
Photo right - Deer Creek at the hairpin at mile 3.7
Route 410 traveling through Chinook Pass is also known as the Chinook Scenic Byway, and is considered one of the most beautiful routes in the United States. The summit of Chinook Pass is above the treeline, so there are many opportunities to stop along the roadway to see incredible scenery. Chinook Pass also holds the east entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, so this portion of the road is closed to commercial vehicles, making this area even more popular for summer tourists. The road is typically closed from November to May, due to its high elevation making it at risk for avalanche danger (Chinook Pass).
Turn right (east) onto Hwy 410 to Chinook Pass at mile 7.6
Overlook of 3 giant hairpins (2.1 miles 4.6%) at mile 9.5
Mt. Rainier as seen from northwest Seattle looking southeast.