Best scenic route Seattle to Spokane
Dec 23rd, 2001 | 04:06 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
I think I would detour by Grand Coulee Dam and the surrounding area.
Much of that part of the state is very dry. And a good bit of it has had a very interesting geologic past.
Current thinking is that Lake Missoula, which was located in the area of the present day Missoula, Montana, was formed by an ice dam at the end of the last ice age. The dam collapsed and the water from the lake swept accross the plains scouring huge potholes and leaving huge ripple marks.
With 2.5 days for the trip, you could swing south for a view of Mount Ranier from the south side, then swing up through Yakima to the dam via Dry Falls state park, and then turn east to Spokane.
Another option would be to go north from Seattle and make the traverse via the North Cascade range on route 20 to the Grand Coulee dam and then on to Spokane.
And yet another option would be to head south and drive east along the Columbia River gorge. Then yu could head north on a variety of routes. You need to look at a map to pick our a route because there are several choices that start to "branch and bound".
And if you really want an adventure, of a new and different kind, take the trip along the Columbia River and then at La Grande, turn off the Interstate and head for Enterprise and Joseph Oregon.
From there, if the road is in good enough shape, drive out to the view of Hells Canyon near Imnaha. It is the deepest canyon in the lower 48 states. It is not as spectacular as the Grand Canyon, but it is awesome none the less. I don't know how adventurous you are, but I guarantee that this one will get your expedition blood to flowing.
Much of that part of the state is very dry. And a good bit of it has had a very interesting geologic past.
Current thinking is that Lake Missoula, which was located in the area of the present day Missoula, Montana, was formed by an ice dam at the end of the last ice age. The dam collapsed and the water from the lake swept accross the plains scouring huge potholes and leaving huge ripple marks.
With 2.5 days for the trip, you could swing south for a view of Mount Ranier from the south side, then swing up through Yakima to the dam via Dry Falls state park, and then turn east to Spokane.
Another option would be to go north from Seattle and make the traverse via the North Cascade range on route 20 to the Grand Coulee dam and then on to Spokane.
And yet another option would be to head south and drive east along the Columbia River gorge. Then yu could head north on a variety of routes. You need to look at a map to pick our a route because there are several choices that start to "branch and bound".
And if you really want an adventure, of a new and different kind, take the trip along the Columbia River and then at La Grande, turn off the Interstate and head for Enterprise and Joseph Oregon.
From there, if the road is in good enough shape, drive out to the view of Hells Canyon near Imnaha. It is the deepest canyon in the lower 48 states. It is not as spectacular as the Grand Canyon, but it is awesome none the less. I don't know how adventurous you are, but I guarantee that this one will get your expedition blood to flowing.
Dec 24th, 2001 | 06:42 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dorothy, your choices are essentially as Bob mentioned, and I'll summarize them - north or south, hot or less hot. The southern route, down to the Columbia then up the Gorge, then back north to Spokane, is very scenic, but covers some pretty dry country once past The Dalles, and in July will be downright hot around the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland WA) or Yakima. You might consider carrying on east to Walla Walla (a very attractive town) and then to Lewiston ID/Clarkston WA and back up on the Idaho side of the line, through the Palouse country (beautiful) to Coeur d'Alene, then back into Spokane. Overshoot if you can, don't miss Grand Coulee.
The northern route, across the North Cascades, is equally beautiful but obviously cooler most of the way. At Omak, turn left and follow US 97 to the Canadian border at Osoyoos, then follow the Canadian side of the boundry east to BC Hwy 6, then cross back into the US, (one of the cutest border stations anywhere) stopping at the fascinating Metaline Falls and going through the beautiful forest and pothole country of Pend Orielle before arriving in Spokane from the north. Again, a side trip to Grand Coulee will show you some of the amazing diversity of this part of the continent.
The northern route, across the North Cascades, is equally beautiful but obviously cooler most of the way. At Omak, turn left and follow US 97 to the Canadian border at Osoyoos, then follow the Canadian side of the boundry east to BC Hwy 6, then cross back into the US, (one of the cutest border stations anywhere) stopping at the fascinating Metaline Falls and going through the beautiful forest and pothole country of Pend Orielle before arriving in Spokane from the north. Again, a side trip to Grand Coulee will show you some of the amazing diversity of this part of the continent.
Dec 24th, 2001 | 09:49 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Dorothy:
Definitely take Highway 20 north of Seattle and stay on it through the Northern section of Washington all the way over. It's a "blue" highway, one less traveled, but the views are amazing on the pass over the North Cascades and through central Washington.
Definitely take Highway 20 north of Seattle and stay on it through the Northern section of Washington all the way over. It's a "blue" highway, one less traveled, but the views are amazing on the pass over the North Cascades and through central Washington.
