Gifford-Pinchot Forest Service Road 52, also known as Skate Creek Road, has long provided visitors with abundant campsites near Skate Creek or the Nisqually River. It travels for 24 miles from Packwood to Ashford. Motorcycles enjoy the twisty road with it's many corners and little in the way of traffic. Watch your speed as there are plenty of spots to test the limits of your vehicle's suspension as you travel this scenic road between the west and south sides of Mount Rainier. In the winter Skate Creek Road is often closed when the snow gets too deep to travel safely.
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The road is never very steep and you may not notice that you're crossing the summit with it's shallow lake in the spring or meadow during the summer and fall. This grassy little lake is worth a stop as it is one of the few places along the road with views up and out to the mountains nearby. If you're lucky you may see a beaver at work or at least some of their handiwork near the north end of the open area. A short walk through the woods will lead you to the lakeside and views across the water in spring or to the edge of the meadow during the rest of the year.
2016 was the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and to celebrate, Visit Rainier and WSGA hosted the Visit Rainier Centennial GeoTour - 100 caches placed in and around Mount Rainier National Park. The geocaches highlighted the rich history, scenic wonders, quaint communities, and hidden gems of the Rainier region. Participants received geocoin and pathtag prizes for finding all the caches.
