La Wis Wis campground-Packwood Washington
May 7th, 2012, 09:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
La Wis Wis campground-Packwood Washington
My first trip report, so be patient
Last Sunday (4/29/12) I started north on US 97 traveling through such scenic and historic towns as Bend, Madras, Shaniko, Moro and Biggs to cover the towns in Oregon.
I picked up lunch at Subway in Biggs before crossing the Columbia River into Washington.
Continuing north, Goldendale has the last gas before you go through about 50 miles of rather desolate looking Yakima Indian Reservation. Wapato has a couple of cheaper gas stations. I turned off I-82/US97 in Yakima onto US 12 west. When I reached the top of White Pass (elevation 4500) there was still some snow at the roadside but it had melted back at least 3 feet from where the rotary plow had cut it.
It is about 7 miles from the top of White Pass down to WA Rt. 123 which is the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. The signs are still up that the Cayuse Pass and the Chinook Pass in the park are closed due to snow.
The entrance to La Wis Wis USFS campground is less than a mile down from the entrance to Mt. Rainier along US 12. The Forest Service was kind enough to leave the gate open for us Passport in Time volunteers to set up camp late Sunday afternoon.
I set up my little tent just back from the bank of the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz River
During the 5 days we were there doing restoration work on the 1930's CCC Guard Station the longest period we went without rain was 15 hours on Wednesday.
On Wednesday after work, I went down to Packwood for a hot shower at the Presbyterian church and tacos and a beer at the Blue Spruce Tavern and Grille. The town has one grocery store (Blanton's IGA) and 2 gas stations ($4.299).
On the way home (5/4) there was a brief snow squall at the top of White Pass.
It will be at least 2 years before the cabin is ready to rent. The campground should have the water system functional to be open by Memorial Day..
If you do go, check out the historic plaque near the big picnic pavilion just east of the campground. This is the spot where the name of the National Forest was changed from the Columbia NF to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Last Sunday (4/29/12) I started north on US 97 traveling through such scenic and historic towns as Bend, Madras, Shaniko, Moro and Biggs to cover the towns in Oregon.
I picked up lunch at Subway in Biggs before crossing the Columbia River into Washington.
Continuing north, Goldendale has the last gas before you go through about 50 miles of rather desolate looking Yakima Indian Reservation. Wapato has a couple of cheaper gas stations. I turned off I-82/US97 in Yakima onto US 12 west. When I reached the top of White Pass (elevation 4500) there was still some snow at the roadside but it had melted back at least 3 feet from where the rotary plow had cut it.
It is about 7 miles from the top of White Pass down to WA Rt. 123 which is the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park. The signs are still up that the Cayuse Pass and the Chinook Pass in the park are closed due to snow.
The entrance to La Wis Wis USFS campground is less than a mile down from the entrance to Mt. Rainier along US 12. The Forest Service was kind enough to leave the gate open for us Passport in Time volunteers to set up camp late Sunday afternoon.
I set up my little tent just back from the bank of the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz River
During the 5 days we were there doing restoration work on the 1930's CCC Guard Station the longest period we went without rain was 15 hours on Wednesday.
On Wednesday after work, I went down to Packwood for a hot shower at the Presbyterian church and tacos and a beer at the Blue Spruce Tavern and Grille. The town has one grocery store (Blanton's IGA) and 2 gas stations ($4.299).
On the way home (5/4) there was a brief snow squall at the top of White Pass.
It will be at least 2 years before the cabin is ready to rent. The campground should have the water system functional to be open by Memorial Day..
If you do go, check out the historic plaque near the big picnic pavilion just east of the campground. This is the spot where the name of the National Forest was changed from the Columbia NF to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
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