The Chinook Pass Scenic Byway traverses the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park from Enumclaw, Washington to Yakima, Washington. There are two highways that are involved in the passage of this scenic byway, which include: Washington State Highway 410 over the primary section of the byway and then the eastern Approach section, from the eastern end of SH 410 on US 12 along the Naches river valley down to Yakima, Washington.

The entire route from Enumclaw to Yakima is just under 100 miles and embarks upon an adventure through the diverse landscape provide by the Washington High Cascades ecosystem.

From Enumclaw, the route traverses state highway 410 which follows the White River Valley, a glacier fed waterway and as it proceeds eastwards, the highway climbs upwards into the dense forested Cascade Mountains, arrives on the east side of Mount Rainier at the junction of SR 410 and SR103. At this junction, the scenic byway continues to the left and immediately crosses under the Pacific Crest Trail overbridge which crosses Chinook Pass at an elevation of 5,430 feet.

After crossing the ridgline, the scenic byway skirts along the side of the ridge while slowly descending, all along with an expansive views southward of the Cascade Mountains. Soon, the scenic byway joins with the American River and follows this river valley downstream, passing numerous national forest campgrounds along the descent.

Experience the diverse landscape of the Central Cascades, from Enumclaw and the glacier-fed White River Valley to the west, up and over 5,430' Chinook Pass, to the fertile valley of Naches to the east. Visitors experiencing the byway can enjoy spectacular views of dense forests, towering peaks, rocky ridges and river canyons dominate this journey. On a clear day the view of Mount Rainier is breathtaking. Pass by the unique basalt flows of the Columbia Plateau, old growth forests, lush subalpine meadows, a world-class ski area and numerous streams, lakes and waterfalls. Not only will you find exceptional scenery, but dozens of opportunities for outdoor fun and recreation await.

My path today takes me first westward out of Yakima on US 12, leave the Columbia Plateau ecoregion of the Basin and Range region where I have for such a long time been dwelling and enter into the Cascade Mountains ecoregion of the Pacific Coast region, coming into the back door of the Mount Rainier National Park. With some fifty miles to Chinook Pass, I first travel along the Naches River on the approach trail of the Chinook Pass Scenic Byway.

Just like the Yakima River, this river has cut down through a thick layer of Basalt, leaving black cliffs and hoodoo spires along riverside.