Chinook Pass Entrance Arch, Rustic stone and wood footbridge at Mount Rainier National Park entrance, Washington, US.
The Chinook Pass Entrance Arch is a pedestrian gate made of log and stone at the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park at about 5,432 feet elevation. The structure features a rectangular timber frame supported by stone supports that crosses over State Route 410.
The arch was designed in 1933 by the National Park Service and built between 1934 and 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This project was part of efforts during the Great Depression to expand public parks and provide work for young men.
The structure shows National Park Service rustic design through the use of natural stone and timber that blend into the mountain setting. You see how local materials and simple building methods were chosen to fit naturally into the landscape.
The arch sits along the main road up Chinook Pass on State Route 410 and is easily spotted when driving through. It provides access to hiking trails in the area, including connections to the Pacific Crest Trail and nearby loop hikes.
The arch required major restoration work between 2011 and 2012 after decades of exposure to harsh mountain weather. These repairs show the ongoing care needed to maintain structures of this age in the rugged high-elevation environment.
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