Getting Oriented
The western end leaves SR-164 in Enumclaw, an hour southeast of Seattle. The route runs east through Greenwater and into Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, past Crystal Mountain Resort, into Mt. Rainier National Park's Cayuse Pass area, over Chinook Pass, and down the American River drainage to US-12 near Naches. The Naches Ranger District (Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest) handles the eastern half; the Snoqualmie Ranger District handles the western half.
Trail Overview
Eighty-five miles of paved highway with two passes. The climb from Enumclaw to Crystal Mountain is gradual, gaining elevation through the White River drainage. Past Crystal Mountain, the highway enters Mt. Rainier National Park briefly and continues to the Cayuse Pass junction with SR-123. SR-410 turns east at Cayuse, climbs to Chinook Pass at 5,432 feet, and drops past Tipsoo Lake into Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The descent to Naches follows the American River and passes through Bumping Lake area campgrounds. Two paved spurs branch off the byway: SR-123 south through Mt. Rainier National Park to US-12, and the road to Sunrise (Mt. Rainier's high road, separate fee).
Points of Interest
- Federation Forest State Park. Old-growth Douglas-fir state park east of Enumclaw on SR-410.
- Greenwater Trailheads. Multiple Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie trailheads off the western half.
- Crystal Mountain Resort. Largest ski area in Washington, with summer chairlift access.
- Mt. Rainier National Park, Sunrise. Spur road to the highest drivable point in the park (6,400 feet).
- Tipsoo Lake. Subalpine lake at Chinook Pass, with a short loop trail.
- Chinook Pass. Pacific Crest Trail crossing at 5,432 feet, with a stone arch over the highway.
- American River. Eastern drainage, paralleled by the byway's descent.
- Bumping Lake. Reservoir on Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, with developed campgrounds.
- Mt. Rainier National Park's east entrance. Stevens Canyon Road (separate trail entry) connects west via SR-123.
Where to Camp
The byway has multiple developed campgrounds along its length: Silver Springs, The Dalles, and Cougar Rock (NPS) on the western end; Halfway Flat, Hells Crossing, Lodgepole, American Forks, Sawmill Flat, and Bumping Lake (USFS) on the eastern end. Most are reservable through Recreation.gov in summer. Dispersed camping is permitted on national forest land off side roads. Crystal Mountain has commercial lodging; Greenwater has small motels and a few cabins. Naches has full services on the eastern end.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Both passes close in November and reopen mid-May at the earliest. Check WSDOT's pass page before driving.
- The Sunrise spur in Mt. Rainier National Park requires a separate park entry fee. Federation Forest, Crystal Mountain, and Bumping Lake are outside the park.
- The byway is the standard summer commute for Pacific Crest Trail through-hikers; expect heavy hiker traffic at Chinook Pass in late August.
- Cell coverage drops out at higher elevations.
- Wildlife is common at dawn and dusk, especially elk on the eastern descent.
- Smoke from late-summer wildfires sometimes obscures views.
- Snow squalls are possible at the passes in June and September.
