Chinook Entrance Arch

Chinook Entrance Arch is a 90-foot log-and-stone gateway over SR 410 at 5,432-foot Chinook Pass, on Mount Rainier's eastern boundary. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses on its deck above the road, so the structure works as both a park entrance and a trail bridge. Keep it in mind if you're driving the pass: it's an unusual bit of park architecture and an easy landmark to notice from the highway, though the stop itself is brief. For a photo, include some of the road beneath the span to show how the arch serves both cars and hikers.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the arch in 1936. Irregular stone abutments support two large cedar logs, with more logs forming the guardrails. The National Park Service restored it in 2011–12 after decades of weather and use; the old stonework and carved park name are still the details to look for.

The 3.4-mile Naches Peak Loop starts at nearby Tipsoo Lake, crosses over the arch, then returns to the lake. The pass is a short stop on its own, but on the loop the bridge becomes part of the route rather than just a roadside gateway. Snow can linger into June or July; midsummer brings wildflowers, with huckleberries and fall color later. Tipsoo Lake gets heavy visitation and parking can be limited, so arrive early or late or have another stop in mind. SR 410 is typically open to vehicles from late May through November, with dates shifting by conditions.