White Pass (Washington)
Encyclopedia
White Pass is a mountain pass
in the Cascade Range
south of Mount Rainier
and north of Goat Rocks
in Washington, USA
. U.S. Highway 12 passes over White Pass, connecting Yakima County
with Lewis County
.
A shortcut route across White Pass between Packwood
and Naches
was first established as State Road 5 in 1931, and the U.S. Highway 12 link was completed in August 1951 along the current route.
White Pass Ski Area
, located at the summit, opened in December 1955. Champion skiing twins Phil
and Steve Mahre
(and their seven siblings) grew up on White Pass, where their father Dave Mahre was the mountain manager for the ski area. White Pass is also the home mountain of professional snowboarder Marc Frank Montoya
, owner of The Block hotels.
46°38.3′N 121°23.4′W
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
in the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
south of Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
and north of Goat Rocks
Goat Rocks
The Goat Rocks are a series of rugged volcanic peaks in the Cascade Range, roughly between Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in southern Washington state. They are named after the numerous mountain goats which live in the area, and are at the core of the eponymous Goat Rocks Wilderness.- Geography and...
in Washington, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. U.S. Highway 12 passes over White Pass, connecting Yakima County
Yakima County, Washington
Yakima County is the second largest county by area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Yakama tribe of Native Americans. In the 2010 census, its population was 243,231...
with Lewis County
Lewis County, Washington
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of 2010, the population was 75,455. The county seat is at Chehalis, and its largest city is Centralia....
.
A shortcut route across White Pass between Packwood
Packwood, Washington
Packwood is an unincorporated community located in easternmost Lewis County, Washington.Packwood is located at the intersection of US Highway 12 and Gifford Pinchot National Forest Road 52 . It is located between Mount Rainier National Park to the north and Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument...
and Naches
Naches, Washington
Naches is a town in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 795 individuals at the 2010 census.-Infrastructure:Naches' infrastructure is based mainly on timber and agriculture, known for its large masses of apple, cherries, pears and various other fruits.-Geography:Naches is...
was first established as State Road 5 in 1931, and the U.S. Highway 12 link was completed in August 1951 along the current route.
White Pass Ski Area
White Pass Ski Area
The White Pass Ski Area is a ski area at White Pass, Washington, located 50 miles west of Yakima on US-12, and 110 miles east of Tacoma.- Alpine Skiing :...
, located at the summit, opened in December 1955. Champion skiing twins Phil
Phil Mahre
Philip Mahre is a former champion alpine ski racer, widely regarded as one of the greatest American skiers of all time...
and Steve Mahre
Steve Mahre
Steven Mahre is a former alpine ski racer and younger twin brother of ski racer Phil Mahre....
(and their seven siblings) grew up on White Pass, where their father Dave Mahre was the mountain manager for the ski area. White Pass is also the home mountain of professional snowboarder Marc Frank Montoya
Marc Frank Montoya
Marc Frank Montoya is a professional snowboarder.-Biography:Montoya grew up in suburban Denver, Colorado. He started snowboarding as a winter pastime for skateboarding. Montoya embraces his urban roots, which many deem refreshing in a sport generally ruled by young suburbanites...
, owner of The Block hotels.
External links
- White Pass road conditions
- White Pass Scenic Byway - Official Website of the White Pass Scenic Byway
- Ski White Pass.com - Trail map for the ski area
- Experience Washington.com - White Pass Scenic Byway
46°38.3′N 121°23.4′W