Whistlin' Jack Lodge and Restaurant is a nice little place along highway 410 in the Cascades. It's a pretty common stop for people heading over the spectacular Chinook Pass. It sits along the Naches river and is a great place to get breakfast and take a break from the road. Because Chinook pass closes during the winter, the only way for those on the west side of the state to reach it, is to go over Snoqualmie pass to the north or White pass to the south, then double back. But during the summer, this is another spectacular drive that Washington State offers with breath taking views of mountains, canyons and the ever present Mount Rainier. You don't need a Jeep to get here and enjoy the views since it is a state highway. You really don't need an excuse to take this drive. All you need to do is want to see some of the best our state has to offer.
But if you have a vehicle that can take a dirt road, there are hundreds of miles of options to take you across the Cascades. When we found ourselves badly in need of some escape, we packed up a lunch in a cooler, filled the thermos with coffee, loaded ourselves and Emma into the Green Monster and headed out for a day of enjoying the sun and solitude that can be found by taking the long way.
Make the jump for more pictures and story.
When looking for a bit of an escape from the buzz of the city and the drama that surrounds it, it doesn't take long when you live in a place like this. It also doesn't take long to start feeling the relief lift off your shoulders.
Soon after leaving the pavement on FS-70 we stopped at the first of many places to take in the scenery. We hadn't been off pavement for more than a couple of miles when the elevation started to increase, the road became steep, and the trees opened up to allow us to look out over where we had just come from.
In a rare moment of Debbie being in front of the camera instead of behind it, Jesse convinced her and Emma to pose for a quick picture.
No sounds around except the wind in the trees and a few birds. No motion except the swaying of the trees and the clouds overhead. And a playful puppy. Reminders of just how good life is.
The trip wasn't really planned. Jesse woke up early and decided that we needed to be "somewhere else" for the day. So while Debbie was still asleep he made a few preparations to make the day a little nicer.
A few miles up the dirt road and then off on a side road we found a nice secluded place to let Emma out and run for a bit. It was also a perfect time to break out the surprise lunch. Lunch really wasn't all that great of a lunch, but it was unexpected.
Bologna sandwiches, boiled eggs, avocados, root beer, and tortilla chips. It was nice to be able to sit and take a break and eat while out here. It also taught us a bit about what we need to bring on these day trips of ours. As it turns out, the back of a Jeep is not an easy place to put together and eat lunch. No benches, no table, and the ground was still wet so no sitting comfortably on the ground. But it was still fun.
If there is puddle or mud within 100 yards of where we are, you can bet that Emma will find it. Finding a snow bank with water by it is one of the best things ever as far as she is concerned. So while we ate lunch, she proceeded to get wet, and muddy. Happy Dog.
There were lots of tracks left by wildlife which had passed through the snow recently. As Emma explored the area, as she came across new smells she would start digging convinced there was something underneath to be found. Given her propensity to roll around in deer dropping, we're pretty sure that was the treasure she was hoping to find.
After lunch we packed back up and headed further into the woods. We got off the main road and explored a portion of the Naches Jeep trail. This trail requires four wheel drive, so this route is not for everyone. Unfortunately the trail is mostly closed this time of year, so we were only able to drive a short portion of it. Even though we are into summer, snow is still around in a lot of places. What we did get to drive was fun though.
There are a lot of alpine meadows to be found throughout the Cascades. This was just one of many. The snow run off made it too soggy to walk on, which was probably best anyway, but it was still wonderful to look at.
We weren't the only ones who found the meadow to be a nice place. Whoever left this track couldn't be too far away given how fresh the tracks were.
Emma of course found a stream to play in. She had jump in the stream and was headed up it until she realized that it was just too cold. That's when she stopped and straddled the stream looking back at us as if to say "That's not what I expected!"
Flowers tend to bloom a little later in the year when you get into the higher elevations. While there weren't many to be found there were a few here and there. Mostly close to streams.
The hawk in the center of this picture was circling above one of the meadows while we were driving past. As Debbie tried to take his picture he decided that he didn't want to be around us and started to fly away. It's an interesting perspective to be above a circling hawk. Perhaps he thought the same thing and didn't want someone looking down on him.
Streams and waterfalls are commonplace along the roads out here. That doesn't make them any less beautiful. Looking at this one, you can tell that during certain times of the year it can be rather dangerous. Notice how the vegetation is pushed back from the stream. It gets washed out regularly as the snow melts. Peaceful now, but probably a raging torrent during early spring.
One of the many hazards you run into while exploring back roads is the road being blocked in some manner. Washed out roads and fallen trees are most common.
We found this one while taking another side road up to a mine marked on an old topographic map. We did not come equipped to move it off the road. It was only a few yards up the road to the mine, so we headed up on foot.
Trees get damaged in a lot of different ways. This one most likely was broke by snow or another falling tree, but it was not killed by the blow. It kept growing. Debbie nicknamed named it the "Butt Tree", which, if you look at it for long enough you will see why.
After about four hours of driving on dirt roads we found our way back to pavement on the east side of the Cascades working our way downhill.
As the altitude dropped the more flowers we saw. A meadow near a campground, near a river was covered in purple and red flowers. Quite a site to be seen.
Even though we were back on pavement, and now we were beginning to see other people and cars, there were still some interesting sights to stop at.
This is a fish ladder built to allow migrating salmon an easier time moving upstream. When the water level is low enough, you can hike right down to it. It would be interesting to come here during spawning season.
Horsetail falls is down the road just a little bit further. You can walk right up to the waterfall. Perfect for a photo-op.
Emma, after all the time running around in streams, snow, and mud, is wondering why she now has to be on a leash. One of the drawbacks of "civilization".
After a long day taking the long way through the mountains, we finally reached our destination. We didn't actually stop to eat. We just stretched our legs for a bit, looked at the nearby Naches river, and the headed back over the mountains, but this time on pavement.
Even though we were back on the pavement, there was still plenty to see. The highway back crosses over Chinook pass along some very rugged terrain. As usual, we made plenty of stops to take pictures and take in the views.
On the east side of Chinook pass, the road is one long and fairly straight hill. Not an easy hill to climb if your vehicle is underpowered. We didn't have a problem, but we did come up behind several cars that did. There are lots of turnouts to allow you to stop and take pictures, which we took full advantage of.
Even in June there is still plenty of snow to be found here. This is at the top of the pass. Just past our Jeep is the just now thawing Tipsoo lake. In the background is a clear view of Mt Rainier. Another reminder of how beautiful this place is when the sun is out.
Another one of Debbie's amazing pictures. Tipsoo Lake with Mt Rainer in the background.
As we headed back down the west side of the pass we took one more moment to enjoy the view as we headed back to town. Mt Rainier with the headwaters of the White river in the foreground.
This brings us to the end of our day. A much needed break from the fast lane.
As always, we have lots more pictures of this trip. Be sure to check them out.
Back Trails to Whistin' Jack
Hope to see you on the trail.
--Debbie, Jesse, and Emma.
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