Spring, Summer, Fall – White Pass Scenic Byway

Water Sports

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:15:52 +0000

The cool breeze on your face. Feeling the water beneath your feet. From waterskiing and windsurfing to paddleboarding, spend the day on the water at one of the Byway’s many lakes! Riffe Lake and Mayfield Lake are favorites on the west side of the Byway, while Rimrock Lake and Clear Lake are popular east side destinations. Be ready for a day of fun on the lake.

Mayfield Lake – Ike Kinswa State Park

Mayfield Lake – Tacoma Power’s Mayfield Lake Park

Riffe Lake – Mossyrock Park Boat Launch

Riffe Lake – Taidnapam North Boat Launch

Swofford Pond Hand Boat Launch

Rimrock Lake – Peninsula/Rimrock Boat Launch

Rimrock Lake – Horseshoe Cove Boat Launch & Picnic Site

Wildlife Watching

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:14:53 +0000

Experience the captivating wildlife of Washington along scenic routes and designated viewing areas. Each winter, hundreds of elk gather at Oak Creek Wildlife Area as part of a supplemental feeding program. This draws thousands of visitors to view nearly 3,000 elk, including impressive branched-antlered bulls, from a dedicated viewing center. Along the Byway, additional wildlife abounds—from the bugling elk and mountain goats to eagles and salmon. Don’t miss spots like the Woods Creek Wildlife Trail and Swofford Pond, where diverse habitats promise unforgettable sightings year-round.

Oak Creek Feeding Station

Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail

Rock Climbing

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:14:07 +0000

Take three parts exhilaration, two parts trust, and one part fear. Add a dash of patience, and garnish with a love of heights — the recipe for rock climbing, an ultimate Washington outdoor experience. The Byway’s Tieton River Canyon offers numerous routes up its craggy sides. Adventurous souls can spend the day exploring its many cracks and faces while taking in the splendid vistas and that arid Eastern Washington air. It’s a great way to stay in shape, experience the thrill of the challenge, and discover stunning vistas from quiet and remote vantage points.

Rock Climbing in Royal Columns

River Rafting & Kayaking

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:12:56 +0000

Energizing the body and recharging the soul, a river rafting or kayaking adventure along one of the Byway’s waterways is an unforgettable and “moving” experience. Home to some of the fastest whitewater in the state, journey past rugged basalt cliffs and beautiful tree-lined shores. Get introduced to the rivers of the Byway, the Tieton and Tilton, Cowlitz and Cispus. Join the many people who have come to know and love rafting these raging rivers.

Cowlitz Kayak

American Whitewater

Picking & Gathering

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:11:56 +0000

Nature offers traditional gatherers limited opportunities for mushroom picking and huckleberry picking within or near the forested areas along the White Pass Scenic Byway. The best places for huckleberry picking are at higher elevations in the Cowlitz and Trout Lake Districts. Mushrooms may be harvested anywhere in the National Forests unless otherwise restricted, but note that harvesting mushrooms in the Wilderness Areas is prohibited. Use a reputable forest guide to help you determine which mushrooms are edible. Don’t remove more mushrooms or berries than you need, but always remember to leave some to share with many wildlife creatures that use them for food.

Forest Products in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest – Permits and Passes

Forest Products in the Naches Ranger District – Permits and Passes

Off-Road Vehicles

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:10:46 +0000

Get off-road and start exploring! The Byway provides excellent opportunities for off-road riding. From high-mountain trails to dry open spaces, there are many places to drive in the dirt. Divide Ridge near Naches is popular with four-wheel drive enthusiasts and offers trails that are both scenic and challenging. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, with over 200 miles of trails, has some of the best trails in Washington State. Find a great place to ride, with spectacular views and a variety of terrain from easy to difficult.

Off-Road Vehicles in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Blue Lake Area in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Horseback Riding

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:58:46 +0000

For those who prefer to enjoy the great outdoors on horseback, several horse camps and countless getaway trails are located along the Byway. Spend the day trotting the trails taking in breathtaking views of rich mountain forests of Washington, alpine meadows and bubbling streams. Treat yourself to a leisurely tour on Divide Trail for fabulous views of Adams Glacier or enjoy fantastic vistas on the High Lakes Trail, a historic trail once used by Yakama Indians for berry picking. See the sights the cowboy way, on the back of a horse — and ride away from it all.

Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Hiking

brent@vulcan-creative.com — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:34:59 +0000

Download the Byway hiking map

Step out onto the trail and experience nature at its best. Take in all the details from the emerging wildflowers to the meandering streams; flitting butterflies and towering trees. Get in rhythm with the seasons and discover the beauty, energy and maybe even solitude of the great outdoors. Seemingly endless trails crisscross areas along the byway. Explore lush old-growth forests, take in dramatic alpine vistas, discover arid rolling canyons. This area is full of possibility for adventure on foot.

Hatcheries

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:07:49 +0000

Tacoma Power operates two large fish hatcheries on the Cowlitz River, the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery and the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery. Tacoma Power’s Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery includes an award-winning education center. Inside the visitor center, interactive displays show a salmon’s journey through life, exploring the 5 “Hs” of a salmon’s life cycle – hatchery, hydropower, harvest, habitat, and high seas. The salmon hatchery produces nearly 13 million fish each year, including about 1.3 million spring Chinook, 5.0 million fall Chinook, and 2.4 million coho salmon.

Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery

Cowlitz Trout Hatchery

Geocaching

Annalee Tobey — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 20:05:44 +0000

Ready for a new adventure? Hunt for geocaches around Mount Rainier and in our gateway communities. If you haven’t tried geocaching yet, it’s an outdoor “treasure hunt” using a GPS-enabled device such as a smartphone (with a geocaching app) or GPS receiver. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then look for the geocache (container) hidden at that location. Geocaches in the area highlight the rich history, scenic wonders, quaint communities, and hidden gems of the Mount Rainier region. Can you say “road trip”?!

This activity has exploded in popularity in the past few years – learn more at Geocaching 101.