Tipsoo Lake Scenic Area - Mather Memorial Parkway, Washington
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 46° 52.174 W 121° 31.211
10T E 612776 N 5191732
A great place to see Mt. Rainier, in all its glory, and also to stroll around a beautiful, wildflower meadow surrounding tiny, Tipsoo Lake.
Waymark Code: WM3WJK
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 05/26/2008
Views: 33
The Chinook Pass loops around tiny Tipsoo Lake as highway 410 (Mather Memorial Parkway) winds its way over the top of the pass and passes through the corner of Mt. Rainier National Park. At the lake you'll find spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, picnic tables, an old CCC built comfort station and the wildflower meadow that surrounds the lake. I've included views of the mountain and lake.
This is a great place for a day trip for people of all ages. Their is a short little trail around the lake and through the wildflowers. Or if walking is a problem, just sit at a picnic table and take in the mountain views. As a child this was one of my favorite stops on family trips to Eastern Washington.
According to the byways.org site, Stephen T. Mather was "the first director of the National Park Service, who first suggested the creation of "A Cascade Parkway" to preserve the natural beauty along the approach highway leading to the northeast corner of Mt. Rainier National Park." The byway is named in his honor.
Chinook pass, elevation 5430 ft./1656 m., over which the byway travels, is seasonal and typically closes in November for the winter, reopening in mid May.
Program: America's Byways
Website: [Web Link]
Official Name: Chinook Scenic Byway: Mather Parkway Tour
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give a brief description of your visit. Maybe why you were there, what you found interesting, or something along those lines. Photos are also encouraged. Although the only requirement to log a visit to a waymark in this category is to physically visit the location, the photos and extra information you can provide about the area is very helpful to future visitors.