"Trip to Washington (Aug2003)" Washington State Travelogue by sunnywong

This travelogue covered my travel to Elbe, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument and Chehalis in Washington State during August 2003.

Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad

Elbe is approximately 40 miles Southeast of Tacoma located on Hwy 7, near its junction with Hwy 706, the road through Ashford to Mount Rainier. The town first called Browns Junction, residents changed the town's name to honor pioneer settler Henry Lutkens' birthplace, the Elbe Valley in Germany.

The major attraction at Elbe is Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad Excursion which runs a scenic 1-1/2 hour, 14 mile round trip through the foothills of Mt. Rainier.

Follow this link to visit my travel page about Elbe

bMount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier was established March 2, 1899 as US fifth national park. The park is located about 87 miles Seattle or 65 miles from Tacoma. Try to schedule summer visits on weekdays. May, September and October, while cooler and more prone to rain, offer quieter roads and trails and fewer visitors. Snow can occur at higher elevations as late as April or as early as October. July and August are generally sunny and mild, with the chance of showers. The rest of the year is usually quite rainy, with heavy snowfall from November through April. Raingear is recommended year round.

Narada Falls (at Paradise)

All locations and facilities in Mount Rainier National Park are open from 01 July through Labor Day. Year-round access to the park is via SR 706 to the Nisqually Entrance in the SW corner of the park. Limited winter access is available via Hwy. 123 in the SE corner of the park. The Carbon River/Mowich Lake area (NW corner) is accessed via SR 165 through Wilkeson. Summer access is available via Hwy. 410 on the N and E sides of the park.

Follow this link to visit my travel page about Mount Rainier National Park

Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, located in southwestern Washington about 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon.

Mount St. Helens erupted at 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. In a few moments this slab of rock and ice slammed into Spirit Lake, crossed a ridge 1,300 feet high, and roared 14 miles down the Toutle River.

Numerous viewpoints and miles of trails have been created for you to explore by car and foot. During the summer Forest Interpreters lead a wide range of activities, from short walks to amphitheater presentations, to help you understand and enjoy this area.

Follow this link to visit my travel page about Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Three Unique Areas of Mount St. Helens:
West Side - Interstate 5, Exit 49, proceed onto State Route 504 (The Toutle River Road) or the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.

East Side - The best views of the volcano can be seen by taking Forest Road 25, driving south of the town of Randle. Forest Roads 25 and 99 provide access to the vast blown down forest and views of the legendary Spirit Lake.;

South Side - I-5 intersects Exit 21 Hwy-503 will do for the journey to Cougar. Forest Road 83 passes through lava flows and mudflows from earlier eruptions and provides access to the Climber's Bivouac.

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad
For me, Chehalis only attraction is Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Excursion because I am a steam railway enthusiast.

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad is pulled by a 1916 Baldwin steam engine #15 (ex-Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade). Built by Baldwin in 1916 (c/n 44106) for the Clear Lake Lumber Co of Clear Lake, WA as their #200. The engine was later sold to Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade where she was renumbered #15. On display in Chehalis for many years, she was restored to operating condition in the Mt. Rainier's Mineral Shops for use on the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association line in Chehalis, WA.

Follow this link to visit my travel page about Chehalis-Centralia Railroad