agapotravel

Hi Everyone!

I always get such great advice on here that I thought I would post our itinerary to get suggestions. Let me give you some background information...my husband and I love to hike and explore. We will be visiting Washington in mid/late July. We love nature and landscapes and WATERFALLS!! I know our itinerary looks packed, but that is how we like to travel. When we went to Utah last summer, we hiked over 50 miles and drove over 1500 miles in 6 days. Our motto is that we can sleep when we get home.

My biggest questions are about where to stay. Any recommendations for unique accommodations would be appreciated.

Okay...here it is...

**Day 1
Fly into Sea Tac; stay at Salish Lodge; explore surrounding area waterfalls

**Day 2
Stay at Salish Lodge; explore about 6 area waterfalls

**Day 3
San Juan Islands

**Day 4
Olympic National Park

**Day 5
Mount Rainier National Park

**Day 6
Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument

**Day 7
Drive to Palouse Falls and Spokane; stay at The Davenport in Spokane

**Day 8
Cascades National Park

**Day 9
Museum of Glass in Tacoma; Fly home

Thanks a million!

enzian

I am afraid that given the driving time between those places (particularly between the San Juans and ONP, which involves 2 ferry rides) you aren't going to have time for hiking or enjoying the waterfalls.

Would you consider cutting it down a bit? Maybe leave out the San Juans?

And I'm not sure the drive across the state to see Palouse Falls and Spokane Falls is worth the time away from some of our more scenic areas.

I have a Washington waterfall book downstairs---I'll see what it recommends.

agapotravel

Thanks enzian!

I know it looks like a lot, so I am just trying to determine what needs to be cut out. Are the San Juans a "must see"? I know that driving all the way across the state to Palouse Falls may be silly, but I love waterfalls, and that one just looks so incredible.

Any suggestions on places to stay?

Thank you!

Fodorite018

I was going to say the same thing as enzian.

Cut out a few areas that take too long to get to. And before or after Mt. St. Helens, head down just a bit further to OR to the gorge. Tons of waterfalls there, easy access, and very easy to get back to the Seattle area.

Orcas

Yep. The most concentrated falls are in Oregon - in the Columbia River Gorge and also Silver Falls State Park, east of Salem. If one wanted to see falls in the PNW, that would be my recommendation. No area in Washington compares. Even Snoqualmie Falls does not compare, as it is less natural, with a lot of development around the falls.

And way too much road time, as others have said. Focus it in. You'll be driving and not enjoying.

enzian

OK, I checked my book--"A Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest", by Gregory Plumb, published by Mountaineers Press. They rate the falls and describe where and how to find the. The book includes Oregon and Idaho as well as Washington.

If you are planning a trip focused on waterfalls in our area, you might want to get a copy.

The book confirms what I thought---in Washington, the highest concentration of worthwhile falls is in and near Mt. Rainier NP. Of course there are spectacular falls elsewhere too---Wallace Falls and Snoqualimie Falls both get 5 stars.

But the only place in the San Juans they mention is on Orcas, where there are a few 1-star falls, and one 2-star. The San Juans are beautiful, biut generally not worth the trouble for a one-night trip; it takes a lot of time and ferry waiting time to get there and back.

So I'd say skip the San Juans and add an extra night at Mt. Rainier. You might want to stay in two different places to explore all the way around the mountain as there are nice waterfalls on all sides. Some will require a short hike.

Another night at Olympic would also be good.

After Rainier you could head south to Mt. St. Helens for a half day, and continue to the Columbia Gorge as mms suggests. Talk about waterfalls---in a short stretch of road (I think it's called the Waterfall Highway), you get more "bang for the buck" than any other place I know. My book gives a number of 4-star and 5-star ratings in this area. And there are nice places to stay nearby.

Mt. St. Helens is a tough place for lodging, at least as far as we found. Better to just continue on to Columbia Gorge.

So . . . maybe something like 2 nights each at Salish Lodge, in the Olympics (Lake Crescent area offers Marymere and Soleduck Falls), Mt. Rainier, and in the Columbia Gorge. You can drive back to SeaTac airport from there in about 3 hours.

agapotravel

Wow...this information is very helpful. I actually have that waterfall book...I was just trying to cram in lots of other things too. I think I am going to forego the San Juans on this trip and focus more on other areas. I still am torn about Palouse....is it worth it?

Thanks everyone!

Fodorite018

The Palouse is nice, but I don't think you have time for it.

Silver Falls is another great suggestion. There are 10 falls along a 7 mile hike. The South Falls are huge, and you can walk under them and then get to the very bottom. It really is an amazing place.

agapotravel

Silver Falls looks amazing, but I promised my husband that I wouldn't look at Oregon waterfalls. We will have to do a separate trip for that. Otherwise, my 9-10 day trip would become 3 weeks.

Orcas

I think the Palouse is amazing. If you like photography, I'd recommend it. However, you'd have to spend two days, I'd think, and stay there overnight. There are great B&B's on wheat farms.

azzure

I think that ignoring the Oregon waterfalls is pretty short-sighted considering that the Columbia Gorge forms the border between Oregon and Washington, and if you are going to be in SW Washington to visit Mt. St. Helens it's only a couple of hours more to the many beautiful falls along the gorge. Just IMHO, of course.

rosetravels

I think the Palouse is beautiful and if you go to Mt. St. Helens, the Gorge, you can continue on to the Palouse. Spokane Falls is pretty and the Davenport is a great place to stay. There are very nice hotels and restaurants in places like Dayton and Walla Walla.

By Cascades National park do you mean North Cascades NP? That drive is stunning with nice day hikes along the way.

I'd be inclined to skip Olympia NP to give you enough time in the other areas. Olympia NP is amazing for the huge ancient trees and hikes but it takes time to get in to do those hikes and it's a long drive w/ a LOT of clearcuts.

agapotravel

Thanks again everyone. You have given me lots to consider. I really don't want to miss out on Palouse...even though I know it's far away.

I am torn about the Columbia Gorge...I know it's close, but the purpose of this trip is Washington, and if I let myself, I will add so much that I will have to add days, and we just can't do that this time. We have already discussed a trip to Oregon in the near future.

I definitely don't want to skip Olympic National Park. I have heard that it requires long drives, but I have to go there!

Happy Holidays to you and your families!