White Pass Scenic Byway
White Pass Scenic Byway travels along US-12 from I-5 (between Chehalis and Castle Rock) to Naches exploring the majestic Cascade Mountains and central Washington. The road travels to an elevation of 4,500 feet, revealing expansive mountain views, some tree-covered, some jagged rock and some snow-capped. Add in lush forest, sparkling lakes and streams and you have a picture perfect drive.
But, we were going to cross at the end of May last year and during this time of year White Pass can have rain/snow and or ice storms everyday anytime of day. So I was checking the weather every day as we got closer not wanting to drive the pass if the temperatures were going to be at freezing with rain.
We had 2 choices to get over to Olympia from Yakima, Hwy 12 white pass or the other hwy going out of Yakima which is hwy 410. Well I always zoom in on the map when making our routes and the photo on the right is Hwy 410, See how the road zig zag’s at Naches Peak, we really did not want to do that in an RV. 🙂
I can’t imagine planning this trip with a paper map, even though I drove a Semi for a couple of years, many years ago and had to use a paper map back then. That says how old I am. Don’t tell anyone. 🙂
Needless to say, the weather was perfect for crossing over this mountain. It is a scenic road worth taking and it has plenty of places to pull off and take photos. Along with plenty of campgrounds along the route. We did not stop on this trip, so all the photos here are taken through the RV window.
Trucks tend to hug the center line going through this tunnel.
The lake views are amazing.
White Pass Scenic Byway
29 Replies to “White Pass Scenic Byway”
Very picturesque view of the water Sandra. I am older than you and remember my parents driving to California in 1965, my mom in charge of consulting the paper map the whole way back and forth and what few places we went to sightsee. My father had two weeks’ vacation so we had to drive from Oakville, Ontario to Anaheim, California, then turn around and come back a few days later. He went for a job interview – didn’t get it though.
I sure like having google maps now 🙂
Yes – a great invention for sure. I have never tried Google Earth – have you and do you use it?
The tunnel height signs cracked me up. Somebody didn’t center the road in the tunnel ha.
Yes, that was a new one to me. Best to hug the center line. 😅
Beautiful images
Thank you very much 😊
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I get so many route ideas from you since we are just starting out on our travel journey.
Yes, I make all the routes and husband does all the driving. I sure am glad there is Google maps. Makes things so much easier. 😊
Great road choice, Sandra. The windshield shots turned out great!
Thank you Kellye, I love keeping a camera up front, one never knows what might cross the road.
You never know… Sasquatch hangs out in those parts, they say – LOL!
💙💙💚💚🙏
Thank you very much Francine 😊
Looks like a great ride 🙂
10-4, Good Buddy. Thanks for the 10-13.
Lol, I enjoy how you think. 😊😊
You should post a pic of your semi truck driving days. The largest I drove was a three axle hi-low.
You know, I don’t have one photo of those days. Taking a photo with a phone was not available back then and I never carried my camera with like I do now. It was such a fun job, I worked for US Express, the big red trucks. They just started coming out with Autumatic trucks then. So easy to drive. I learned how to drive a 9 speed on a dump truck though. I love dump trucks. So high off the ground. 😊
There is also a spectacular White Pass in Alaska, north of Skagway.
I would love to see that one as well 🙂
Beautiful place Sandra
I do like the north west of the states here, more forest is always nice.
Twin Peaks vibes.
Yes, 🙂
Beautiful views.
Thank you Liz