The first portion of SR 410 that was defined under law to be built by the state of Washington was a state wagon road that extended from a county road in King County to a county road near Naches. The road ran up alongside the White River until it reached the summit of the Cascades and continued traveling down parallel to the American River before ending at the county road connecting to Naches. This road was approved and built in 1897, making it one of the oldest state roads in Washington state.
@@lindsaymalone9371 I don`t know, I have just lived here for a long time and so has some of my family. My Grandfather use to tell me that was one of the oldest passes over the hump. Washington State history has always been one of my favorite subject.
Magnificent view! Looks like you’re in a Bob Ross painting. Love all those happy little trees. I get that it is geologically speaking, not so great, but the botany part of me loved it. Great video.
Watching your video and reminiscing about being there in 2017. That indeed is a lovely area, especially Box Canyon just another mile or so from where your video stops. It is hard not to get distracted by the scenery.
Come on man! another great video, and commentary with road side notes. Exploring the under belly of the cascade mountains. Blue green rocks on a 'bluebird day. Thanks Nick.
I love summer road cut geology trips with awesome scenery in the backdrop! Thank you for making those two guides available online for us Nick, and thanks you for the followers who sent Nick the links. I so appreciate all the resources that you share with us.
First shot is at Little Tipsoo Lake. The small mountain is Yakima Peak. Good looking scenery and views galore! The close up of the craggy formations ( rhyolite) appear to be from ancient ghost volcanoes that erupted much earlier than the formation of Mt. Rainier! This area was very swampy 28 - 36 million years ago. Nothing like traveling back 30 plus million years but some of this geology is overwhelmed by those happy little trees. Great geologic adventure Nick.
My husband and I have been following Nick’s travels this summer. We did the Old Blewett Pass last Saturday- long drive from Tacoma but ABSOLUTELY worth it! I think this is today’s drive, coming from Pierce County. Thank you for the guidebooks, they help us learn so much about our surroundings.
Love the green rocks! They came through loud and clear. Very obvious in the wall as well as they sat next to other rocks and so the contrast was clear. My eyes were also immediately drawn to the jagged formation below Rainier. Thanks for taking us exploring! What a treat to watch.
Hi Nick, It's great to see this and hear about the composition of the topography. Neat to check out the blocks... always interesting up close. Ha! Confused?!? I am, always. Wth. Joy!
Around 16:20, this is the sorta thrilling moment that I love in these videos! So many times, one can pass by something that catches one's eye, but you don't know the story or significance. This guided tour to an intrusion of Tatoosh Pluton and a look at the breccia, it helps make a little connection to the story and big picture. Love this! Thank you Nick!
Beautiful post (as usual) of one of my favorite places to drive when I lived in Seattle from the mid-70s to mid-80s. The summers then were idealic - moderate temperatures, and lots of green from the wet winters (at least in western Washington}. Sad that the area now has the same heat we have on the East Coast...
That’s part of your gift Nick, that’s the first thing I was curious about, and immediately you were talking about and wondering about the craggy outcrops in the foreground. Never stop your wholesome curiosity, it absolutely is like being there watching these, you key into the details and questions we are all curious about, so naturally and effortlessly. Really appreciate your straitforward approach to ask the “basic” questions honestly and with humble wonder.
For five years now I've planned to spend my summer in the Casades, reexploring some old haunts, just looking at geology, fishing and doing some photography. First one thing and then the other have kept me from going. Thanks Nick, you've brought me back there! I sure do enjoy your instruction, you have the gift. I've been through the Cascades dozens of times, the more I go the less I seem to know about geology, fishing, biology and back country hikes. It's a beautiful mess!
Yes Nick regarding the rock walls the guardrails those were built by the CC boys back in the thirties my dad served in the CC's and they built in and around Mount Rainier in the area that you're in today they built a lot of the buildings in the park areas including the guardrails along the road
Thank you for a splendid episode. Looking forward to the new series in november next. I think the biology did serve you :-) Moss on tuff, sounds logical, as it has these small waterreservoirs. The other rocks were barren, closed off and nothing growing on it.
Plants. The one you called trillium was actually Columbine; Aqulegia formosa. I listen to find out what rocks are called and geological ideas and terms. Plants though, I know them.
At 17:30, the short drill holes that were are cross-sectioned in the block in the rock wall are evidence of the shaping operation of the stone. The shallow holes may be drilled by hand with a “star” drill and a 3 pound short-handled sledge “drill” hammer (called single-jacking) or by powered rotary hammer drill, then a pair of tapered, “spoon-shaped” “feathers” are placed in the hole, and a “shim” or wedge is driven down between the two feathers generating force normal to the line of holes. The shims are struck with the drill hammer, in series along the desired fracture line until the rock fractures. Then the feathers and shims are gathered up, a new line of holes is drilled and the process repeats, all day long.I think a skilled craftsman could build about 10 feet of wall in a day. It is labor intensive in the short term, but the structures are durable m in the long term. Lasting, elegant infrastructure, that blends seamlessly with the environment, can be created out of local materials, simple tools, and basic, highly developed skills. Artistry is evident in the selection of stones of contrasting colors and various shapes.
Fantastic day and views of Rainier! I’m super excited for the upcoming series this fall! Beautiful rocks- we could definitely see the green… love this area for hiking! 😄👌❤ Thanks for the field trip Nick!
I haven't done a lot of driving over those passes, but I have been there in the past. I remember vaguely wondering about the rock I saw and now, knowing that we'd be driving through 20-30 Ma old rock is exciting. Thank you, Nick, for adding fullness to my memories of my home. I cannot thank you enough for digging into the Cascades.
Quite a bit of interesting geology on down the west side of 410. And further down to the south around the west side of Mt Rainier. Just outside the park boundary so you can hammer! Up the Carbon river etc. Several old mining prospects and lots of assorted Sedimentary and Igneous Rock exposures to poke around in.
While watching your video at around 20:32 you mentioned the Cowlitz chimneys. In the USGS Geology and History Summary for Mount Rainier they mention, "The volcanoes of the Ohanapecosh Formation were tall enough to stand above sea level." Wouldn't it make sense that this remnant volcano would have been uplifted and eroded leaving only the plug? You tell me, it's been over 50 years since I took Geology 101 and I really don't know squat. I love watching your videos, it takes me back to lectures at WSU by Gary D. Webster. This is truly fascinating stuff. Can't wait for more!
Love the stops, the road guides, the views of the Cascades.. including the biology. Reviewing the ET and CE series in preparation for the journey this fall. This is a nice break from the 52 programs, restores the fascination with the sheer beauty of Washington.
Very cool how you make discoveries. It’s still another language to me I’m slowly learning more. Growing up in New Zealand I appreciated what I saw, also the Undarra lava tubes in northern Queensland in Australia has fascinated me
Beautiful scenary, and learning geology,thanks Sir Nick, this is amazing.🎉 I have to say i like graffitis when is in a white wall and expressing art and expressing thoughts.😀
That little red flower is a Columbine, not Trillium. Perhaps there was a Trillium that didn’t make it in the shot, but I don’t think Trillium would be blooming this late in the year.
"Video tape..."😆 Was in this area about eight years ago and am grateful for context, in terms of geology, you are providing. BTW, I recommend the Ohanapecosh campground, south of this area.
Aa a fan of trees 🌲🌳🌲, love the excitement about biology. There's some truly exceptional groves near Stevens Canyon. But biologists can geology enthusiasts too! Thank you for a better introduction to the green volcanics. I remember being on Aix a couple years ago and so curious about the green, blue, and pink assortment of rocks. Also, thank you for not using your hammer and being an excellent role model. Recently, I've watched rock-enthusuasts hammer on rocks in sensitive areas and smash marine animals just to get a look at the inside of the rock. Sigh.
😆I'm confused on the geology, Breccia? green rock??..., I probably have to watch a few times and read but...💛 Cayuse Pass!!😃💚 We've been there a few times in the past, so pretty, thanks Nick!!😄💞💗
Nick, the redish flower you saw is Crimson Columbine, not Trillium. 😊Also, the second time watching, I see your point of confusion, an intriguing thought!😮
As you have become 'a famous teacher' do you think the Park Authorities can make an exception for 'educational purposes' and let YOU use your rock hammer? It would really help us (and you?). Thanks for sharing it all with us.
That pullout at 11:43... perfect place to pull over and explain to me the story behind that gigantic orange wall on the uphill side of the road. Drove past it many times on my way to Tipsoo, and it always intrigues me. Is it a huge dike? Love the videos... frustrated you passed by one of my favorite roadcuts without elaboration! Well, can't get 'em all. I'll download the roadside guide, see if it's in there.
At 7:16 - "trillium"? No. Columbine. 🙂 An interesting story and theory about the Ohanapecosh. Hope you let us all know if those sharp, pointy pinnacles really did get raised up 5000 feet!
You crack me up when you say things like I’m underwhelmed by these rocks or I don’t get it - what’s that Cowlitz chimney doing way up there - isn’t this supposed to be formed underwater? and so on - welcome to Western Washington! Pat Pringle lived in my culdesac years ago - smart guy!
i know you keep saying national park cant use a hammer but nature happens whoops that rock just fell on that other rock and broke would you look at that wow!
Oh Prof Zentner... where else on the tube'y'all can you find a professor of geology getting worked up about...well, whatever it is, you are getting worked up about? *don't use your hammer in a national park* you know better.
