As you drop down on the East side of Chinook Pass, you see the landscape change. This side of the mountains is drier, colder and has different dirt...hard to explain. The pristine American River becomes your companion for a while before it joins the Naches River, which eventually joins the Yakima River. The American River is known for it's mountain trout. We like to stop somewhere on it's banks for a quick lunch. Doesn't matter where, it's all beautiful and very peaceful!! What a great place to pitch a tent and spend a week....as long as there is a soft bed inside... :-)