Long before riders chased horizons across White Pass, Morton was a town built from timber and ambition. Here, beneath the shadow of the Cascades, giant cedar and fir trees fed sawmills, logging camps, and railroads that carried the wealth of the forest to the outside world. The photographs of enormous logs and steam-powered machinery are not exaggerations—they are reminders of a time when the forests seemed endless and the work demanded equal measures of grit and courage.

Today the Bucksnort welcomes a different breed of traveler. Riders gather beneath its sign to study maps, share stories, and prepare for the miles ahead. The old spirit lingers in the streets, the stories, and the mountains beyond. Every journey across White Pass begins here, where GMRW Ride Map #12 leaves the timber country behind and turns east toward alpine summits, volcanic landscapes, hidden waterfalls, and the open road beyond. This is Morton—Lumber Town—the first chapter of a ride that crosses the backbone of Washington.

Packwood is more than just another mountain town on Highway 12—it is the crossroads where the timber country of western Lewis County gives way to the high Cascades. Born from logging camps and sustained for generations by the forests that surround it, Packwood has reinvented itself as a basecamp for adventure, sitting between Mount Rainier National Park, the Goat Rocks Wilderness, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and White Pass. Today, riders know Packwood for two things: elk that wander through town as casually as locals crossing the street, and the legendary Packwood Flea Market, a decades-old tradition that transforms this quiet community into one of the largest swap meets in the western United States twice each year. For motorcyclists following GMRW Ride Map #12, Packwood is the natural place to stop for fuel, food, and a stretch of the legs before climbing into the mountains. It marks the transition point where the road begins to feel wilder, the peaks grow taller, and the journey toward White Pass truly begins. 

Few riders expect to find a stone cathedral hidden among the forests of White Pass. Yet just east of Packwood, the trees suddenly part to reveal the Palisades—a towering wall of volcanic columns rising above the valley floor like the ruins of some forgotten fortress. These cliffs were born when ancient lava cooled and fractured into long geometric pillars, leaving behind one of the most striking geological formations in the Cascade Range. Most travelers pass within sight of them without ever knowing they exist. Those who stop are rewarded with something rare: a chance to step off the motorcycle, lean against the overlook railing, and look deep into the volcanic history of Washington itself. Along a highway known for mountain vistas, waterfalls, and sweeping curves, the Palisades offer something different—a glimpse into the forces that built the mountains long before the first road crossed them.

Unlike many of Washington's famous waterfalls, Lava Creek Falls does not announce itself with signs, parking lots, or crowds. Hidden deep within Ayance Canyon, this 250-foot horsetail cascade is easily missed by travelers focused on the road ahead. Eastbound on Highway 12, look for an unsigned pullout on the right approximately five miles east of the SR-123 junction and about two miles beyond the Palisades Viewpoint. Pull over, shut off the motorcycle, and listen for a moment. Across the canyon, a ribbon of white water tumbles through dark volcanic rock and dense evergreen forest, falling from a landscape shaped by snowmelt, lava, and time. There is no developed overlook and no easy route to the base of the falls—only a brief roadside encounter with one of the White Pass corridor's hidden treasures. For riders willing to slow down and pay attention, Lava Creek Falls offers a reminder that some of the best discoveries along a great road are the ones without a sign pointing the way.

High above the forests of White Pass, the Goat Rocks Observation Point offers one of the finest mountain views in Washington. To the south, the massive snow-covered dome of Mount Rainier rises above the horizon. To the east, the jagged volcanic spires of the Goat Rocks Wilderness cut across the skyline like the broken teeth of an ancient crown. For riders crossing the Cascades, this overlook marks a transition into the high country—a place where the road leaves the river valleys behind and enters a landscape shaped by glaciers, volcanoes, and wilderness. The pullout itself is modest, little more than a place to park and stretch your legs, but the view is anything but. On a clear day, it is easy to lose track of time here, studying distant ridgelines and imagining the explorers, climbers, and travelers who have crossed these mountains long before the first motorcycle ever climbed White Pass. Some stops are worth remembering because of what they offer. This one is worth remembering because of what it makes you feel.

Long before Highway 12 carried motorcycles across the Cascades, the Tieton River carved its way through this mountain valley on its journey toward the Yakima River. That changed in 1911 when Tieton Dam was completed as part of the federal Yakima Project, creating Rimrock Lake and transforming the landscape forever. Today, riders follow the shoreline of this high-country reservoir through one of the most scenic stretches of the White Pass corridor. The road twists along steep mountainsides above deep blue water, offering sweeping views around nearly every bend. Whether you're crossing the dam itself, pausing at one of the many lakeside viewpoints, or simply enjoying the rhythm of the road beneath your tires, Rimrock Lake is one of those places that reminds you why Washington remains one of the finest riding destinations in America. It's a place where engineering and wilderness meet, and where a mountain river became a lake without losing its sense of adventure.

Tucked between the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains and the fertile Yakima Valley, Naches serves as one of the most important junctions for motorcycle riders exploring Washington State. While many travelers pass through without a second thought, experienced riders know that Naches is where some of the state's finest roads converge. From here, riders can head west across White Pass, north toward Chinook Pass and Mount Rainier, east into the basalt cliffs of Yakima Canyon, or southeast onto the open backroads of the Dinosaur Run and Bickleton Highway. Few places in Washington offer access to such a diverse collection of landscapes in every direction. Forested mountain highways, volcanic peaks, winding river canyons, high desert ranchlands, and sweeping agricultural valleys all begin within a few miles of town. For riders building a Washington motorcycle tour, Naches is more than a waypoint—it is a natural hub where routes intersect, adventures diverge, and the next chapter of the ride begins.