White Pass Scenic Byway
Grove of the Patriarchs, WA

A walk through a virgin forest of giants - Douglas firs, western hemlocks, and western red cedars - will make visitors draw in a breath of awe. The Grove of the Patriarchs is an experience rich in history as travelers consider the huge trees that were already in existence when the Normans conquered England. The stand of trees is grouped on an island in the Ohanapecosh River and has been isolated from fire for years. The trees have grown to gigantic proportions, with trunks ranging from 25 to 35 feet in circumference. The trees are estimated to be nearly 1000 years old.

The trail to the Grove of the Patriarchs is short and easy and will allow any interested traveler a gaze into the past. The trailhead is located near the Steven's Canyon Entrance Station to Mt. Rainier National Park and begins just past the Ohanapecosh River Bridge. The trees themselves can be accessed across a suspension bridge. The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center tells the story of the surrounding forests.