Naches Peak Loop — Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003

Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon

Novemeber 12th promised to be a nice sunny day so I decided to head for Chinook Pass and scope out the snow conditions above 5000 feet. The road conditions to Cayuse and then up to Chinook pass are very good. Ice and packed snow in places particularly the shady spots. Studs or good snow tires highly recommended. The PCT at Chinook pass has about 18"" of snow. Someone has kindly broken trail through the snow for the entire 3 mile length of the route. Postholed in places and it was fairly slow going. I should have taken the snowshoes! The open slope on the south side of peak was beautiful and offered some fantastic views of Goat Rocks, Mt. Adams, the Tatoosh range and of course Mt. Rainier. Talk about solitude, I had the entire trail all to myself. If we get another day or two of heavy snow, I'm sure they will close the road. Be safe!