Visiting a Sleeping Giant

Before leaving the Yakima Valley, we stocked up on fruit and vegetables as we will soon be leaving the fruits and vegetable capitol of Central Washington.  We leave behind the vineyards, orchards and farmlands and leaving behind the dry and arid hills.



As we gain in altitude, the hills quickly begin to turn green as we enter forested lands.  The Naches River, carves the landscape leaving room along it's flowing banks for us to enter the now green landscape.



Driving up Chinook Pass we climb higher and higher like Jack up the Beanstock..  Deep ravines drop beside the road into a deep abyss.  Hailey reads her book, as I marvel at the ever changing landscape.


Once we begin the steep incline nearing the pass there are not pull offs to stop and take in the view so I am only able to grab glimpes of the stunning views until we reach a viewpoint near Chinook pass.
Snow capped peaks hint at the spectacular marvel that awaits us beyond the cloak of green.

We stop at one last vista to play in a roadside water fall.

As you climb the mountain pass, all views are of mountains and deep green forest  THE mountain remains hidden from view, beyond your reach and sight. We now see the path to the other side of the mountains. 

 

    
 After the final east side viewpoint we again travel west….this time moving down the other side of the pass.  Around a bend and there it is in all her magesty.

                

   MT Rainier

 The view is so stunning it is difficult to take it all in.  We decide that this is a beautiful place for a lunch stop and the architects of the highway thought so too.  They provided a nice rest area with parking for trailers!

 

 Mt Rainier is not just leaving civilization, it is truly a wilderness.  Leaving behind, lights, grocery stores, gas stations, and swarms of people.  Unlike many other national  parks Rainier is peaceful and full of natural solitude.

 

We found many campsites available and the rangers said the campgrounds are rarely full except on holiday weekends.  The campsites are primitive and due to the extreme winter climate finding a large and level spot is challenging.  Most campers in White River Campground are tenters and they have their pick of campspots.  In our camp loop only 3 of the 15 sites were occupied.

I hope you are not bored with pictures of this magical place….. I just can’t stop taking pictures!! 

THERE WILL BE MORE!!