Chinook Pass sits at 1,656 metres on the crest of the Cascades, and it is one of the loveliest spots on any road in Washington. Just below the summit on the west side, Tipsoo Lake lies in a little basin of meadow and subalpine fir, and on a calm morning the lake holds a perfect upside-down reflection of Mount Rainier. In August the meadows around it are thick with lupine, paintbrush and heather, and the air smells of warm grass and resin.
At the pass itself, a log-and-stone footbridge arches over the highway, carrying the Pacific Crest Trail from one side of the road to the other. It marks the boundary of Mount Rainier National Park, and it makes a fine frame for a photograph. The Naches Peak Loop, which starts here, is one of the most popular short hikes in the park, about five kilometres around the peak with Rainier in view for much of the way. It is an easy walk, even in riding boots, but the trail can be muddy early in the season.
The road over the pass is a joy to ride. From Cayuse Pass the road climbs in a series of long, sweeping curves, cut into the mountainside with views down into the valley. The asphalt is generally good, though frost heaves can make it bumpy in places, and there are few guardrails. On the eastern side, the road descends steeply into the valley of the American River, with tight bends and spectacular views of rocky peaks and forests.
The pass is closed in winter, usually from late November until late May, when snow plows clear the road. Even in summer, the weather can be cold and wet, with fog rolling over the crest and rain falling in sheets. The best time to ride is in July, August and September, when the days are long and the weather is more stable. Early mornings are often clear, with clouds building in the afternoon.
At the pass you will find a small parking area and restrooms near the lake, and nothing to buy. Fuel is far off in both directions: Enumclaw to the west, about fifty kilometres away, and the Naches valley to the east. If you are heading east, the road continues down through the forest to the small communities of Cliffdell and Naches before reaching Yakima.