Submitted by White Pass Scenic Byway
Explore Washington State’s newest drive tour, the South Cascades Loop – also known as the Cascades, Columbia, & Cabernet. Begin where you are, come as you are! Spend a day or spend a week, the longer you stay the more adventure you will have. With interest in outdoor recreation at an all time high, this newly developed itinerary is just in time to guide the adventure seeker to some of the most pristine, yet accessible wilderness in Washington State.
Get to know this five-day itinerary on SouthCascadesLoop.com experienced by the Mahre Family as they travel along the road less traveled. As they share their experiences, you can preview their route as it winds through the Chinook and White Pass National Scenic Byways near the state’s most recognized volcanos. Follow their lead and journey along the longest river gorge in a federal designated national scenic area, and then meander through one of the state’s incredible wine and beer regions.
Along the way, enjoy unlimited outdoor activities, including world-class kiteboarding, downhill and Nordic skiing, golfing, hiking, biking, water sports and fishing. Quaint towns offer a variety of lodging, dining and authentic cultural experiences not found in urban areas.
The grand scenic vistas along this route are coveted by video and photography enthusiasts. The quiet calm of wildlife and birdwatching and the heart-pounding thrill of mountain biking and downhill skiing captivate both young and old during all four seasons of the year. The South Cascades Loop and its adjacent public lands provide a range of wild habitats and provides a sampler of all that Washington State has to offer.
The South Cascade Loop is more than 600 miles long and crisscrosses Mount Rainier National Park, Yakima Wine Country, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument, and the Gifford-Pinchot and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests. The region is located in south central Washington State, between Seattle and the Puget Sound to the north and the Columbia River to Portland Oregon to the south. The Yakima agricultural and wine regions anchor the Cascades, Columbia and Cabernet to the east. The diversity of climates, elevations and landscapes make this an adventure to rediscover in every season.
