Mt Hood to Seattle

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We intended to return to Seattle today via Mount Rainier. Crossing the Hood River Bridge and Columbia River to Washington we headed for Trout Lake on the 141. There are some lovely views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams on this road. North of Trout Lake the road system was not too clear so we stopped at a Ranger Station and surprised to find from a wonderful ranger that the road we were seeking was washed away last November by the same floods that did so much damaged near Mount Hood. She advised us to go via Mount St Helens but that returning to Seattle that way might have serious delays from heavy traffic.

She mapped out a scenic route via Glenwood and Yakima which we followed. It’s sparsely populated around here, offering some great views with miles of empty roads, particularly the Glenwood to Goldendale Road that crosses the Klickitat River. The journey north on Interstate 97 is more exposed and rugged, and passes through the Yakima Indian Reservation. We passed through Toppenish which has a reputation for glimpses of the Old West, Native American traditions and historical murals. We didn’t see many murals; don’t know where they were hiding.

We stopped for a snack in Yakima then on to Interstate 90, heading North West to Seattle and more great views of Mt Adams and glimpses of Mt Rainier. But it was a long drive and a long day. Maybe we should have gone by Mt St Helens, we’ll never know? We were sad not to have traversed Mt Rainer, it being the main reason for our Columbia River round trip.

We got to SeaTac Airport, dropped off the hire car and caught the courtesy bus to our hotel, the Comfort Inn. There are plenty of eating places but we enjoyed meal and wine at Dave's Diner. Quite a popular spot. Tomorrow we're flying to Salt Lake City.

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Photos

Mount Adams
We just can't help being in awe of mountains.