Enumclaw sits on the plateau east of Seattle where the suburbs thin out into horse paddocks, hay fields and dairy farms, with Mount Rainier standing on the horizon on any clear day. The mountain, at about 4,390 metres, is an active volcano and the highest in the Cascade range, covered in more glacier ice than any other peak in the lower forty-eight states. It looks very close from here, and it is, which is a large part of why so many riders begin the day in this town.
The road from Enumclaw to the mountain is State Route 410, which follows the White River upstream into the national forest, through tall Douglas fir and cedar. After the village of Greenwater the road climbs, the corners get longer and the trees come right to the verge. Crystal Mountain ski area lies to one side, and beyond it the road rises to Chinook Pass, at roughly 1,650 metres, where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the highway. The pass is closed by snow through the winter, usually from November until late spring, so check the state transportation website before setting out. From the pass the road drops toward Yakima country, and the forest gives way to dry pine and rock.
In summer the Sunrise road, which climbs from the northeast entrance of Mount Rainier National Park to the highest point reachable by road on the mountain, is the usual objective, and a park entry fee applies. The weather on Rainier makes its own rules. A clear dawn can be shut in with cloud by midday, and it can be cold and wet at the top even in July. Traffic is heavy on weekends in summer, so aim for an early start. Deer and the occasional bear cross the roads, especially at dusk.
For practical reasons, Enumclaw is the last sizeable place for fuel, groceries and repairs before the mountains, and nearby Buckley has more. The town also has bakeries and diners that suit riders heading out early. Once you pass Greenwater, services are scarce, so top up the tank and carry water, snacks and a warm layer.