A loop around Mount Rainier

Skookum Falls on
WA 410

It had been over a year since the RV had moved. We were grounded to deal with health issues. Before heading out on a long trip we decided to take a quick three day loop around Mount Rainier to make sure all systems were still working with the truck and camper.

I’ve always been a person that wants to drive every road that I see on a map. It’s a curse of mine. That led to this trip’s route on WA-410 that goes on the north side of Mount Rainier – a new road to travel for us. We left our new-to-us home in Lakewood, WA and headed east to get on 410 and then enjoyed being out in the wilderness again. We stopped a lot to enjoy mountain views, water falls and mountain streams and arrived at our overnight stop in Yakima midafternoon. On the west side of the mountains the temperature was in the low 70s and on the east side it was mid-90s so we got to test the air conditioner.

Northeast side of
Mount Rainier

The next morning, we left 90 degrees to head back west on US 12 which goes on the south side of Mount Rainier. The temperature cooled quickly to the mid-60s as we drove out of the sun and into elevation and cool air coming off the snow top mountains. We stopped again for views and waterfalls before stopping for two nights in Randle, WA. Then back home, mission accomplished. Time to plan the longer trip east to see some new sights and visit family and friends in the Midwest.

View at Clear Creek Falls on US 12

View at Chinook Pass on WA-410

Clear Creek Falls on US 12

Closer view of Skookum Falls