White Road

If you are in the White Pass area but wishing Leech Lake had some bigger views, head over to Forest Road 1284, also known as White Road. Less than a mile west of the pass, White Road is definitely a road; it's wide and fairly flat, and it starts inauspiciously near a collection of DOT maintenance sheds. But within 2 miles the trail turns west to give increasingly impressive shots up the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz River and into Goat Rocks Wilderness. On clear days, these culminate in an end-of-the-road view of Mount Rainier.

To follow White Road, start up NF-1284. Look for signs to Sand Lake No. 60, a steep, narrow trail that links up with the Pacific Crest Trail at Sand Lake. Follow the main road, avoiding minor turnoffs as the trail climbs gradually through the wet White Pass forest and hairpins left under Cortright Point. From there it's a fairly straight shot, with the road petering out shortly after the trail takes another turn to the north. If you are in the area on a clear day, the views should be stunning.

Although the trail is quite low-risk, watch for undercut trees above the trail once you start heading west. The slope is eroded in sections, and skiers should watch for downed trees.