Chinook Pass is a premier drive in Washington
Usa, north-america
N/A
1,655 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Chinook Pass in Washington State, a sweet little mountain pass sitting pretty at 5,430 feet. We're talking Yakima County, between the towns of Enumclaw and Naches, right in the heart of the Cascade Range.
This totally paved, two-lane ribbon of road—officially known as SR 410, Chinook Scenic Byway, and Stephen Mather Memorial Parkway—hugs the northeast side of majestic Mount Rainier. Completed back in '31, this road is a pure driving joy with twists and turns galore.
Five miles east of Cayuse Pass, Chinook Pass marks the eastern gateway to Mount Rainier National Park. Get ready for jaw-dropping views: we're talking Mount Rainier in all its glory, lush forests, sky-high peaks, rugged ridges, and dramatic river canyons. Because commercial vehicles aren't allowed within the park section, it’s a fave for summer road trippers like us.
Just a heads-up: Chinook Pass usually shuts down around mid-November and aims to reopen by Memorial Day weekend. But Mother Nature calls the shots, so it all depends on the winter snowfall and spring conditions. The pass closes due to avalanche risks, tricky road conditions, limited space for snow storage, and the lack of nearby emergency services.
Where is it?
Chinook Pass is a premier drive in Washington is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 42.5677, -99.5843
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 1,655 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 42.5677, -99.5843
Related Roads in north-america
moderateMount Yeckel
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near Pitkin County, Colorado, and you've got a serious itch for a high-altitude adventure, Mount Yeckel is calling your name. We're talking a staggering 11,771 feet above sea level! The road up, known by a few names like Larkspur Mountain Road (FSR #103), Christmas Tree Road, and Lenado/Johnson Creek Road, is not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, think rocks, think seriously rugged terrain winding through the White River National Forest. Definitely 4x4 territory here, folks. And forget about it in the winter – totally impassable. If you're not comfortable with unpaved mountain roads and heights make you queasy, this one's best left to the pros. But if you're up for the challenge, the views of the Elk Range along the way are absolutely breathtaking. Trust me, the white-knuckle drive is worth it for those vistas!
extremeThe closed road to Devil’s Slide Trestles in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Colorado's Boulder County lies the legendary Devil's Slide Trestles – a seriously sketchy, narrow-gauge railway relic from the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad days. We're talking about a nail-biting crossing of the Continental Divide via Rollins Pass. Imagine two rickety trestles clinging to the edge of a cliff, with a dizzying 960-foot vertical drop beneath you! These trestles were built right on the edge of South Boulder Canyon way back in 1904. They look like they're barely hanging on over thin air. Perched high in the Rockies, you can still see much of the original route. Be warned though: some of the trestles have seen better days and have partially collapsed. There are NO guardrails, and the drop-offs are seriously steep. Oh, and did I mention you can see straight through the gaps between some of the boards? Originally built for trains linking Denver to Winter Park and Salt Lake City, the route was later used by cars. From 1955 to 1979, Rollins Pass was a scenic route until a rockfall blocked the way. It briefly reopened in 1988, only to be permanently closed again in 1990. It's a truly stunning location, with the kind of scenery that makes you feel like you're on top of the world. Just be prepared for some serious exposure!
moderateWhere is Picuris Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so picture this: you're in northern New Mexico, gazing up at Picuris Peak, a seriously impressive 10,761 feet high! This isn't just any mountain, it's one of the highest roads in the whole state! There's some gear and stuff up at the top. The road to the peak, the Picuris Peak Trail, is a 7-mile gravel grinder. You'll earn every single view, especially those panoramic shots of the Sangre de Cristo Range. Because of its elevation, access is mainly during the warmer months. Think sun, not snow!
hardWhere is Trail Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Idaho's Lemhi County, waiting to test your mettle, is Trail Peak. This bad boy climbs way up there, making it one of the highest drives in Idaho. Forget manicured highways—this is a rugged, unpaved mining road from a bygone era, about 7.8 miles of pure, unadulterated challenge. Think rocky terrain, and almost no smooth patches at all. We're talking steep drops, no maintenance, and zero cell service. A tow truck bill would probably bankrupt you. Seriously, a lapse in concentration could have serious consequences. But oh, the views! As you grind your way up 3,560 vertical feet (with an average gradient of 8.64%), you'll be following in the footsteps of prospectors. The summit area was a hive of mining activity from the 1880s to the 1920s, yielding gold, silver, copper and lead. You'll spot remnants of Idaho's mining history all around you. To conquer Trail Peak, you absolutely NEED a 4x4, beefy all-terrain tires, and skid plates are highly recommended. And one more thing: this road is totally snowed under in the winter, so plan your trip for the warmer months!