Forum Discussion
- pauljExplorer IIThis crosses White Pass, 4500 ft
http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/white/default.aspx
The lanes are regulation width - this is a US# highway. It has guardrails. But it's better to use the lane markers to stay on the roadway.
There are some shelf road stretches. It has been closed at times to repair washouts.
This album has some nice shots of a 2015 washout and its repairs:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/albums/72157659996537344
But overall it probably has given WSDOT fewer maintenance problems than the other major mountain passes. It's not as busy as I90, and doesn't get as much snow as US2, WA20 or WA410. - East side of pass has some narrow sections with minimal shoulders.
You can go to this site a scroll to different sections of highway to get views from road level. You need to click on orange area for SC area. Then input 12
State Route views - obgrahamExplorerRV's of all sizes go over this route every day. It's a mountain pass, but it is fine.
- jamesuExplorerA good, well maintained highway that I have driven and towed many times. Very scenic. Pull over at the summit for views of Mt. Rainier.
- BigdogExplorerI have driven this a lot of times as my grandparentsx lived in Yakima and have driven it in all kinds of weather and everything from an 8' popup to our 40' Tradewinds towing. You'll have a gradual uphill till you get to the lake and then a long stiff uphill to the summit and then downhill to Mayfield lake and then a couple of short uphills. The road is gonna be no problem for your rig. I have even driven it in a 40' school bus in the winter and had to chain up for 22 miles.
- rhagfoExplorer III
obgraham wrote:
RV's of all sizes go over this route every day. It's a mountain pass, but it is fine.
Any road that Semis travel on you can travel with any 5er RV and TV. - George_HExplorerNote that there are no passing lanes and the highway is crooked and climbing. You need to be able to maintain speed without impeding following traffic.
- 2gypsies1Explorer IIIWhite Pass to us was not a big deal. Elevation is only 4500' not at all high. Coming from east to west you'll have a downhill of approximately 6 miles of 6% grade with curves, not hairpins. For a western pass it's not a biggie and it'll be over before you know it. :) It's a beautiful drive and comes past Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park on the backside. If you want to do some touring of the park there will be RV parks/campgrounds on or near Hwy 12. Hwy 12 is a popular highway for RVers.
Stop at a roadside fruit/veggie stand in Yakima as it's a farming community. - mockturtleExplorer IIRVs and trucks of all sizes, towing and not, take that route every day. It's beautiful and a pleasure to drive. In summer there is often road construction, some with long delays. But in an RV that's not so bad, is it?
- TANDDANDBIGEExplorerAll above...... scenery is great. a bonus is that much of the "pass" areas were repaved in the last couple of years, they needed it; very nice now! been over with the 40 footer towing several times. no sweat. Enjoy! TB
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