Arriving on a sunny afternoon in the Central Cascade Mountains of Washington State, I decided to stop on the top of Chinook Pass.

Chinook Pass at 5,340 feet provides the eastern access to the Mt. Rainier National Park. The views of Mt. Rainier and the surrounding peaks are about as good as it gets.

I had heard that the weather was going to change for the worse (which it did) and decided to take advantage of the nice day to explore the area.

Afterwards I checked into the Whistlin’ Jack Lodge for a few days of hiking and photography.

Mt. Rainier Summit

Small lake on Chinook Pass

Chinook Pass Highway heading down the east side of the Cascades

Storm brewing on Mt. Rainier

Peak on south side of Chinook Pass

Mt. Rainier beyond Chinook Pass Highway