Mount Rainier / Chinook Pass - Alternate route
Scale of 1-10:: 9.0 !

This ride is like the other Rainier ride but I think it's better. You get the best parts of the park plus the pass and Hwy 410. In all, it's less traffic and better riding. The loops is basically 410, up and down Sunrise, out Hwy 12, and back 410 again.

(1) You begin the trip at Enumclaw (if you want) - you can find your own way there. Take the 410, following the signs into the national park. Follow the signs and take the right to the Sunrise turnoff, at #2 below.

(2) Sunrise - pay your entry fee and ride up to sunrise. This is possibly the twistiest stretch of road in the State. Enjoy the ride up and take a look at the view from the top. It's a view you won't soon forget. When you're done, climb back on and head back down the hill, turn Right when you get to 410 again.

(3) Take a Left onto Hwy 12. Now you're heading East, away from the mountain and into the foothills. You'll go by a couple nice lakes, enjoy the view and the long curves.

(4) Take the Left back onto 410. Your climb is pretty rapid, up to the Chinook pass. Some straights allow you to stretch out a bit, it's hard to resist the throttle on the straights after so many turns. The view at the top is breathtaking if the air is clear.

(5) Stay on the 410 and back to 123, then home to civilization.

As an alternate ride, if you have all day, instead of going back up 410 to Chinook pass you could go Left into Yakima, take the Canyon Road back to I-90 and then West back home. In all it might add an hour and a half and you'd get to ride the canyon road (parallel to 12). The down-side is you have to ride I-90 home. At least it's direct and quick. This assumes you live in Seattle of course.

Why it's not a 10: It's a long way from home. You'll spend about 3 hours in transit to take this ride from Seattle, but it's worth it.

Other information:
- Mt. Rainier Forest Loop
- Mount Rainier National Park homepage
- "unofficial" Mt. Rainier site