Great Northwest
 

Flying into Portland, want to see the best of the northwest and Canadian Rockies. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? What should we not miss? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

You do not mention your mode of travel no how long you have so I am going to make some assumptions. Maybe you could provide some more details. <BR> <BR>I have driven from Portland ( used to live there ) up through the BC Rockies ( used to live there also ) more than once. You basically have two ways to get there by driving. You can drive up to Vancouver and then across BC to the rockies. Another route is through Washington, Idaho and up through the Rockies. There are other routes as well. <BR> <BR>I definitely recommend the second route unless you have to see Vancouver. I would drive east from Portland through the Columbia river gorge. This is a very scenic area. Cross into Washington at the tri-city area ( Pasco, etc. ). Then drive up to Spokane. You should probably stop in Spokane for the night. It is a delightful city ( lived there also ) with good accomodations. Travel from Spokane up through Bonners Ferry, Idaho into Canada. There are two routes out of Spokane. You can go north of Spokane and cut into Idaho or you can go due east of Spokane and then north through Idaho. The second route is probably the best. <BR> <BR>You then drive north into British Columbia, Canada to the Windermere/Columbia valley. I used to live there also and spent some time visiting a couple of years ago. The Windermere Valley is between the Canadian Rockies on the east and the Purcell mountains on the west. It is a fairly narrow valley with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I would plan on staying at least a couple of days in the area. There is lots to do and see and plenty of accomodations. There are several very good web sites on this area. I heartily recommend the Emerald Grove B&B in Windermere. Stayed there a couple of years ago. Wonderful people own it and it is very nice. They also have a web site. <BR> <BR>Next, you will travel north to Radium Hot Springs ( stop if you have time ) and then go through the Kooteney and Banff National Parks. This takes you right through the heart of the Rockies. Totally awesome scenery. Unfortunately the moose and the bears have virtually disappeared though you may be lucky. It will be a leisurely drive through the park to Banff/Lake Louise which are both must sees. Make sure that you allot time to stop at the various sights throughout the parks. <BR> <BR>Now, you have to decide what you want to do. You can continue north from Lake Louise up through Jasper National Park to Jasper, Alberta. You will see the infamous Columbia Icefields. Or you can go west of Lake Louise through the Yoho National park to Golden, BC and then drive over to the Okanagan via Revelstoke. This whole area is very scenic. I personally would go through Yoho to Golden, etc. Travel down through the Okanagan back into Washington state. You can then return to Portland via Seattle or via the Yakima valley. Both have their good points. <BR> <BR>You should allow at least 7-10 days to really enjoy this trip. Could be done in less but you will be constantly driving and not soaking up the local scenery nor ambience. <BR> <BR>Note: Unless you have a compelling reason to fly into Portland, I would fly into Spokane, WA instead.

Well I'm not sure what you intend to do or see? Where you are staying, if you are renting a car etc. I however would have to disagree with the other post and would advise you to fly into Portland. I would tell you to take a day trip out to the Columbia River Gorge, see (not necessarily go to) Mt. Hood, Multnomah Falls, etc. I have driven the HWY the other poster mentioned, it is the Gorge Hwy 84. It is actually rather boring. It is nice until you get past some of the gorge then it just repeats itself. The drive to spokane that way and to Idaho is even more boring (flat desert like). I would strongly suggest that after spending a couple of days in Portland, that you drive to the Oregon Coast and make your way leisurely up the Oregon and Washington Coasts! They are GORGEOUS! There are lots of great seaside towns that are quite quaint. I would continue up the coast hwy through Washington. I would possibly stop in the Olympia area to see the Rain Forest. I would continue up to Seattle spend a day or two there. Go down to the famous Pike's Market, wonder the waterfront area. I would then continue my drive up North and be sure to go to Vancouver and Victoria BC. If you wish to see the rockies, I would then head east from Vancouver. :-) Whatever you do ENJOY! It is GORGEOUS out there!! <BR>

Nikole's route is OK if you have a month or two to spend. Youi specifically asked for the Canadian Rockies so I got you there in the most direct route. I personally am not thrilled at driving the Oregon/Washington coast. I have done it a few times in the past. The trip is very slow and not particularly exciting. Same goes for Seattle. If I want coastal scenery than I will travel the California coast which is second to none. <BR> <BR>In any event you have to decide do you want to see everything or focus on the mountains. Trust me, I would opt for the Canadian rockies which is a sight you will not find elsewhere. Save the coast, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria for another trip unless you have a couple of months to spend. <BR> <BR>For coastal scenerey, choose California.

Totally agree with the last writer. You can't do both, unless you have weeks to do it. If you choose the Washington/Vancouver area, you can easily spend a week or two in Olympic National Park, Vancouver and Victoria. If you end up going to Victoria, Buchard Gardens is an absolute must-see!

The best of the Canadian Rockies would have to be Banff. Three other women and I took a trip there two years ago. Two of us flew into Calgary then drove to Banff and spent three nights, spent two nights at Lake Louise, and spent three nights in Jasper. The other two had more time so they began their trip a week earlier, flew into Seattle for two nights, then went to Vancouver and Victoria for two nights each and caught the overnight train east and met us in Banff, which they highly recommended. Banff is an adorable little town with tons of amazing hiking nearby -- more than you could do in a lifetime. We loved Emerald Lake and Lake Louise. The drive up to Jasper was gorgeous and I'd recommend stopping at the Icefields and doing the tour they have on the glaciers. However, overall I liked the Banff and Lake Louise area much better than Jasper. You don't mention how much time you have but overall I'd try to spend as much of your trip in Canada as possible -- your dollar goes MUCH farther. We enjoyed fantastic food, the friendliest people, and impeccable service everywhere we went -- I love Canada! There are a couple of other "don't miss" places I want to mention but I'm going to have to look them up -- one is another lake in the area and one is an incredible waterfall that was my very favorite. You will have an amazing time.

Lisa: <BR> <BR>How can you possibly say that Banff is the best if you haven't seen it all. Banff is nice though very touristy. You have missed some of the most scenic areas of the Canadian Rockies. I have seen them all, having lived there a few years back.

<BR>I have lived in the past in California for many years (including in Big Sur for years) and in Washington along the coast and also for years in Oregon. Do I *ever* disagree *strongly* with the above poster who stated the California coast is nicer or more scenic than Oregon!!!!! Has he ever got that one wrong! I don't know where he was looking, but I don't see how he could have seen the Oregon coast even from the parking lots of the parks and not seen that it has it head and shoulders in beauty *way* over California. And I say that having lived in California on the coast in southern Ca., Big Sur, Santa Cruz and traveled many, many times on the coast north of SF with tons of trips in the far northern coast. Big Sur is beautiful and special but it pales in comparison to the Oregon coast (Boardman State Park, Port Orford, Bandon, Yachats, Depoe Bay, Oceanside, Cannon Beach and oh so many other wonderful areas...and the *beaches*...*all* of them are public! You sure can't say that about California).

I have to agree with the last post.....whoever thinks California Coasts beat Oregon or Washington must not have seen very much! I've been to the Atlantic multiple locations, the gulf multiple locations and the pacific mutliple locations. Oregon and Washington have them all beat. (Unless you are looking for white sand and calm water then the Gulf wins). <BR> <BR>I really think you should drive up a portion of the coast. When you run out of time you can then head up I-5. Which will help you make up time, fi you are worried about that. I still strongly disagree with the idea of taking hwy 84, you will miss some of the best parts of the NW if you do that. I'm guessing you are flying into Portland for that reason and wanting to see the NW also, not just the Rockies!!

BobbyB: OK, you win the award for most knowledgable about the area -- but I'm still entitled to offer my opinion. Besides, when I referred to Banff I wasn't necessarily referring only to the town itself, but to the area around Banff and all the wonderful hiking nearby. We're all just trying to help someone here based on our own individual experiences. Having lived in the area doesn't mean you're the only one qualified to offer advice. <BR>Ellen: a couple of other places we really enjoyed hiking were Maligne Lake and Peyto Lake (I hope I spelled that right). The Post Hotel in Lake Louise was excellent. You may want to check the Canada board too for the Canada portion of your trip if you haven't already -- there are lots of postings on the Canadian Rockies there. Good luck.

Thanks, friends, for all the comments. We have been to California, up the coast, Vancouver, etc. <BR> <BR>We are flying into Portland--cheap rates, $200, renting a car and want to see as much as we can of that part of the country including the Canadian Rockies. We have 15 day and we enjoy everything especially beautiful scenery. <BR>Thanks! Keep that info coming.

I flew into Portland for a 15 day trip,from Portland I went to Mt. St. Helens, or right outside of it, spent one day there, then to Mt. Rainier, then onto The North Cascades, then to Glacier National Park, then south through Hells Canyon, to Mt. Hood and back to Portland. Camped all the way except the night before we left. The Canadian Rockies are absolutely beautiful and something you should consider, though the other places have their beauty. 15 days would put you traveling for a while just to get there and traveling to get back. Though I am sure you can drive from Portland to Oroville/Osoyoos, then north into Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho,Banff,Jasper and Kootenay and back to Portland, but be prepared for lots of traveling. I would highly recommend the first trip, and schedule the Canadian Rockies, when you can have at least 15 day just in that area. Good Luck. <BR>

Well this has been a lot of fun. Managed to get a few folks stoked up over things. <BR> <BR>For the record, I have lived, in Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Portland, and all over the California coast from San Diego to Eureka. Currently ( past 15 years ) live in San Diego and the San Francisco Bay area. Everyone is entilted to their own opinions and I will stand by mine. I have traveled the coast from Prince Rupert to Cabo San Lucas. I have made the trip up and down the coast by car, train, and boat. I still believe that the California coast is far more scenic than either Oregon or Washington. That is JMHO. Others will have a different opinon which is fine by me. It is very interesting how sensitive some folks can be. Oregonians especially, if you don't think that their coast is the greatest. On any event, to each his own. I am glad that many of you prefer other areas to California. We already have too many folks living and visiting here. <BR> <BR>Lisa: <BR> <BR>You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I agree that the the Banff-Lake Louise area is very scenic and not to be missed. However, you made a blanket statement that it was the best. There is also the Kooteney National park between Banff and Radium. There is the Windermere valley and many other areas to see the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. One can see it all without spending to much time. <BR> <BR>Your trip was based upon flying into Calgary. Lest we all forget, Ellen ( original poster ) is flying into Portland, Ore. Therefore my route was based upon her arrival site and the easiest way to see as much as possible.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that this forum is for sharing INFO. not for bragging. Please check your egos at the door before posting, if you have to pick on each other, e-mail each other personally, so everyone else doesn't have to read about it. I'm sorry my post does not contain INFO. about the NW. This will be the only one from me. I was reading to try and learn more about the NW as well for future travel. Bye!

moving this up past the trash talkers