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Seattle to Portland- ideas for places to stay?

Seattle to Portland- ideas for places to stay?

Old Jun 29th, 2015, 05:50 AM
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Seattle to Portland- ideas for places to stay?

We are a family of 4 (2 teens) planning a 2-week trip around Seattle, Olympic National Park on around to Portland in August. We are into cities/hiking/ water sports/whale watching and on a fairly careful budget.

Thanks for all of the previous input-- we originally thought we'd include SF but have opted for the shorter route based on many of the great suggestions from the forum. Here is the plan at this point- need to fine-tune so we can reserve accommodations. I realize this is no easy feat this late in the game...! Would appreciate any feedback and suggestions for inexpensive accommodations near ONP and other spots along the way, including cabins, camping, motels, b&b's, lodges.

Days 1-3 Seattle (AirBnb accommodations- Fremont)
Days 4-7 ONP (camping? motels?)
Day 8 Drive to Mt Rainier
Day 9 Mt Rainier hike; drive toward Columbia River gorge
Day 10 Gorge- (half day rafting?)
Day 11-12 Portland
Day 13 fly out early am from Portland

thanks for your help!
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 06:59 AM
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One possibility - https://goo.gl/maps/qKv2D

Counter-clockwise loop around the Olympic Peninsula hitting the highlights of Olympic NP, then across to Rainier, then east over White Pass to the Yakima Valley and down US 97 to the Columbia River at Maryhill, then west through the Gorge to Portland.

Another possibility - https://goo.gl/maps/020rD

This eliminates Mt. Rainier but substitutes Mt. St. Helens. While Rainier is certainly beautiful, Mt. St. Helens is unique, and an extra day or two around Mt. Hood (also wonderfully scenic but more convenient to other things to see/do) would compensate (IMO.)

A third possibility - do the math - would be to drive two loops - Seattle - Olympic NP - Rainier - Seattle, drop the car, take the scenic and affordable train to Portland, collect a new car, and do a second loop to include Portland and the Gorge. This might well work out cheaper as you wouldn't be saddled with very expensive one-way rates for the car. Of course you'd have to add back the train cost, but as I said, you can do the math.

A couple of other notes -

I would stay in Port Angeles for the northern part of the Olympic NP visit, then move to Forks for the Hoh Valley, then maybe to Quinault or even Ocean Shores (not very scenic but on the way) for the southwestern part of the park. Or, if you do the "two loop" approach, two nights in Forks, one day of which can be used to visit the beaches around La Push rather than heading south to Ruby Beach near Kalaloch.

I suspect rafting is off the table. No snow pack in the mountains this winter, so water levels in the rivers are going to be at historic lows, especially by August.

Look at hikes in the Gorge - Oneonta Gorge (google it) would be spectacular in August.

You'll be in the Gorge area when stops along the "fruit loop" might be fun - http://hoodriverfruitloop.com/
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 07:25 AM
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Can't help you with ONP lodging. But Portland: stay in Vancouver the first night (or whole time) to save on money. It's a very short drive into Portland from there- and while there are bargains to be had in Portland (Quality Inn Convention Center is usually inexpensive) you can usually get a lot more room for the same price in Vancouver. Airport and Lloyd Center hotels are also a good bet usually- then you have access into downtown by the Max light rail.

I've also stayed at Cascade Locks Koa for the same purpose if you prefer camping but I don't like that KOA's showers. Also very few food options in Cascade Locks.

I'd normally agree with gardyloo's first route- great drive- but Yakima is already hellishly hot, and I was a little worried about my car going through there last week. So I'd avoid heading east like that in August if this keeps up.

Columbia River Gorge- really depends on what you find, but our favorite budget option is Vagabond Inn in Hood River.

If you get as Far East as the dalles, stop at Big Jim's Burgers. Good food- and in August they may have fresh huckleberry or blackberry milkshakes
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 01:03 PM
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Thanks so much for these suggestions! Gardyloo, I will definitely check out the train option as compared to the drop charges for a rental car... and marvelousmouse, those huckleberry milkshakes sound divine!

Any particular places to recommend in PortAngeles or Forks or in the Gorge area?.
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 01:12 PM
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For the Olympic peninsula, there are plenty of decent places in Port Angeles, fewer in Forks - some B&Bs too, but don't know if that's your thing.

For the Gorge area, the Best Western in Hood River is very nice - comfortable, not too expensive, and right on the river. http://www.hoodriverinn.com/
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 04:00 PM
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What's your budget for the gorge area? I've stayed at several over the years but price kind of dictates where I stay during summer. I do like the Best Western, though. Restaurant is good and very convenient.
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Old Jul 1st, 2015, 12:55 AM
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Thanks for your replies, we have booked at the Best Western in Hood River. I see that the train from Seattle to Portland is surprisingly cheap (by east coast standards!!) Still checking for a good deal on a rental car with low drop charges, so we'll see what works out best.
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Old Jul 5th, 2015, 11:12 PM
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Thank your for all of your suggestions. I was able to reserve a rental car without a ridiculous drop charge, and find "budget" accommodations along the way. The plan is shaping up, but still a few gaps between OPN and Hood River on days 10-11. Any thoughts? Could fit in Mt Rainier or Mt Hood? Would welcome any suggestions for good eating, nice walks in Seattle, what to see in Portland with 2 teens, or other ideas along the way. Here it is:

Day 1-4 Seattle: Pike Place, Public Library, Olympic Sculpture Garden, Zoo or Aquarium, Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, baseball game, Ballard locks ? other?? kayaking?
( Staybridge Suites Seattle – Fremont – 4 nights)

Day 5- Boeing tour in Everett- continue to Sequim (Olympic Village Suites, Sequim)

Day 6- Whale watch ISLAND ADVENTURES from Port Angeles- (overnight in Sequim)

Day 7- Hurricane Ridge - drive to Ozette- (overnight Lost Resort cabin)

Day 8- Ozette loop trail (overnight Ozette cabin)

Day 9- Hoh rainforest (overnight???)

Day 10 ????

Day 11- (Mt Hood?? or hike?) arrive Hood River (overnight Best Western, Hood River)

Day 12- White Salmon river rafting or other water sport...? (overnight Best Western, Hood River)

Day 13 Portland (overnight COUNTRY INNS AND SUITES, near airport)

Day 14 6 am flight to JFK
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Old Jul 6th, 2015, 08:31 AM
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In Portland you could rent bikes and ride along the waterfront doing a loop so you will ride over a couple of bridges.

In Portland also, you could do a kayak trip on the Columbia. Alder creek Kayak is one place that has guided trips.

The Willamette River Jet Boat rides could be another fun thing to do in Portland.

The kids might enjoy a visit to VooDoo donuts. I see people getting onto the planes carrying a box of donuts from there like its gold!
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Old Jul 6th, 2015, 02:15 PM
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Day 10 maybe stay overnight in Leavenworth WA (lovely alpine town) or maybe Packwood (south of Mt. Rainier). Last time I went through Packwood, I saw elk going across the highway.
I was camped at the La Wis Wis campground while working on a Passport in Time project.
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Old Jul 7th, 2015, 01:38 AM
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Thanks, sunburn, for the Portland tips. Donuts definitely a plus in this family (we live in Israel, where for some reason you can't get them and our kids miss them!).

What is better- Rainier or Mt Hood? (day 10)?

and where to stay after spending the day in the Hoh rainforest?

thanks!
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Old Jul 7th, 2015, 06:46 AM
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Day 8- Ozette loop trail (overnight Ozette cabin)

Day 9- Hoh rainforest (overnight???)

Day 10 ????

Day 11- (Mt Hood?? or hike?) arrive Hood River (overnight Best Western, Hood River)


Day 9 - Starting at Ozette and including the Hoh valley, you should continue south after Hoh, and stop at Ruby Beach, especially if your hike at Ozette doesn't get you to Capa Alava or out to the beach proper. This will be a long day (due to Ozette's location requiring a long doubling-back to US 101) so I'd make your overnight someplace close to the mouth of the Columbia, say Ilwaco WA.

Day 10 - Follow the north bank of the Columbia - beautiful and historic - to I-5 at Longview. Then depending on the time and your energy level, consider heading north briefly to the turnoff for Mt. St. Helens. The drive from I-5 to the Johnston Ridge visitor center takes around an hour each way, but how many times do you get to look at an active volcano from eye level?

Regardless, continue on to Hood River. If you get there early enough, you can head up to Timberline Lodge - around an hour from Hood River. This might mean another night in Hood River, or you could stop someplace closer to Portland and still have time for the Columbia Gorge on day 11. Maybe look at McMenamin's Edgefield - http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home

Trying to visit Mt. Rainier after the Olympic peninsula will entail a huge amount of driving; Leavenworth is (IMO) simply out of the question.

As I said above, I would not put much faith in rafting around White Salmon given conditions this summer, but I might be wrong.

Map - https://goo.gl/maps/Dd8KW
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Old Jul 7th, 2015, 07:57 AM
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This is great, Gardyloo. It's finally all falling into place!! Thanks so much for all of the help.

I had actually thought about something similar, and booked a hotel in Aberdeen on day 9 after Hoh to save some driving that day. Will consider adding Mt St Helen's on day 10. I added a night at Best Western Hood R. for that night.

Is Mt Hood as spectacular as Rainier? are there wildflower hikes? I will also check Oneonta trail that you suggested earlier.

Thanks to all for the great input.
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Old Jul 7th, 2015, 08:34 AM
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Is Mt Hood as spectacular as Rainier? are there wildflower hikes? I will also check Oneonta trail that you suggested earlier.

Well I think Mt. Hood is certainly spectacular, but people's opinions vary. Rainier is obviously taller and more glaciated, and the fact that it's a national park means there's not as much commercial development as there is near Mt. Hood (e.g. a ski lift at Timberline.) But Mt. Hood is certainly spectacular from a distance and pretty impressive up close.

Mt. Rainier from Seattle -
http://gardyloo.us/HDR%20Trial%20011010aS.jpg
Mt. Hood from Portland - http://gardyloo.us/20100510_21b.JPG
Mt. Rainier from White Pass - http://gardyloo.us/050as.JPG
Mt. Hood from Hood River Valley - http://gardyloo.us/20100509_85a.JPG

There are hikes around Mt. Hood that will have wildflowers, but not as lush as those at Paradise on Mt. Rainier. However, I fear that this year's warm winter and lack of snowpack probably will mean neither place will have much to offer by the time you get there. The wildflower bloom on Rainier started in June, easily a month or more earlier than usual.
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Old Jul 7th, 2015, 08:38 AM
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Beautiful photos!
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Old Jul 24th, 2015, 07:55 PM
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Sorry to inform you the wildflowers have come and gone. The sites and hikes will st I'll be beautiful but the wildflowers bloomed early this year.
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Old Jul 25th, 2015, 03:04 PM
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The NPS reports loads of wildflowers on Mt. Rainier in August: http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisi...wer-status.htm

HTtY
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