We are headed from SFO to Portland for a 4 day weekend in early February (Thurs-Mon). I'm thinking we should stay in the city the first night (Thurs)in order to head to the Gorge area for Friday, since we have reservations at the Stephanie Inn for Fri-Mon. Heres the question - I know we'll drive the coast and try to hit a few wineries BUT how far north is realistic to head? I'd love to make it up to Mt. St. Helens and was told the access is limited to the Cold Water Ridge Visitor Center (of course conditions change constantly). I need help with the WA portion of our adventure. We're cool with driving - and we're game to get into the car at 6am and head out for a day of hiking, exploring and I've done enough research to have a sense of Cannon Beach SOUTH, but am much less confident about where we can head into WA. Is it absurd to think we could take 5 North to 12 to 101 and see Olympic NP??

From Cannon Beach Mt. St.Helens is indeed something of a schlep, plus in Feb. the chances are great that weather will prevent you seeing much at all.

If you indeed don't mind a crack o'dawn start, then head north on 101 to Lake Quinault (or even Hoh if you're ambitious) for a fascinating visit to the coastal strip of Olympic NP. It will be wet but then so will Cannon Beach most likely. Near Quinault Lake is the largest red cedar tree in the world, the lake and Lake Quinault Lodge are lovely and a nice lunch or late breakfast stop. Take a walk along one of the rain forest trails, keeping your eyes wide open for the many Roosevelt elk that overwinter in the rainforests, down from the mountains. (They're elk-colored but about the size of Pontiacs - humoungous animals.) Sometimes in winter you get into these amazing "glades" I guess you'd call them - areas in the forest where you can see a considerable distance because the elk have eaten all the undergrowth, leaving nothing but moss on the ground and hanging moss and the tree canopy above - eerie and beautiful.

Head up to Kalaloch or beyond (the Hoh Valley rain forest ONP visitor center is maybe 4 hrs. drive time from Cannon Beach) for excellent beach walks, but watch your time because driving back to Oregon in the dark rain is a major drag.

If you don't want to go that far, head up the Long Beach Peninsula just over the river to Long Beach, drive (if you must) on this - guess what - looonnng beach, or, better, head to the Shoalwater Restaurant (Long Beach) or the Ark (Nahcotta, farther up) for nationally-recognized cuisine, two of the best restaurants in the whole NW and by far the best places on the coasts of Oregon or Washington. Visit Oysterville and explore the beautiful Willapa Bay area in SW Washington.

Just visited Mt. St. Helens last week and was lucky to get a clear morning. By the afternoon, however, it was completely fogged over and we couldn't see the mountain. The Coldwater Ridge visitor's center is still very close to the mountain, 10 miles away vs 5 miles at Johnson Ridge.

It takes 2 hours to get from dwtn Portland to Mt. St. Helens. From the coast, you might be able to cross the border near Astoria and save some time.

I second Gardyloo's suggestion for the Shoalwater. It is actually in Seaview, but all these towns kind of just run into each other. There is also the 42nd Street Cafe that is very good in Seaview.

In the town of Ilwaco, the Pauly's Bistro has just received The Best Restaurant of the Year award by Richard Fenseck of the Daily Astorian. www.protofilwaco.com to check it out.

There are many bike/walking paths in Long Beach that are beautiful and The Marsh's Free Museum is lots of fun to browse around in. Lots of sea shells, souvenirs, etc. Have a great time! ***kim***

Thanks so much for all of the info! Gardyloo - very helpful. The early AM start north to Lake Quinault sounds like a good plan - but do you think its better to go 101 or coastal for that portion of the drive (since we'll be at Cannon Beach)? We'll definitely hit the Shoalwater - so many great posts about it.

NUANA99 - I am very interested to hear about your recent trip to Mt. St. Helens - I was beginning to get very discouraged and thinking that I planned this trip at a terrible time of the year - but your post gave me some hope! While it'd be great to get a little sunshine - all I really want is to be able to see Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood, if even briefly! You said that the Coldwater Ridge visitor's center is still very close to the mountain (10 miles away vs 5 miles at Johnson Ridge). Are there trails open this time of year - or no? Did you go to Johnson Ridge or Coldwater - and are the roads somewhat clear? I called the Forest Svc. and they told me to cut across at 504 - but I'd love to hear how you did it and where you went (if there are trails or simply a visitor center). I'll rent a 4wd, but I'm curious.

What else...I found some info on Hot Springs in one of my old Pacific NW Trails guides but if any locals have soom good recs, I'd love to hear them.

And finally - the one night in Portland is still unplanned. I'd like to hit Biddy McGraws - unless anyone wants to discourage me. And would like to see a few more pubs while we are in town. It seems like 23rd is trendy, and Nob Hill seems cool. Anyone ever stay at the Hotel Lucia, the Heathman? I'd love some help on a great night in Portland for two pub lovers. (And one Guiness-lover, I might add). Thanks all! You rock!!

Mt. St. Helens is going to depend entirely on the weather. When you're in town, pick a day and check the visibility. If you can see Mt. Hood from downtown Portland, it should be clear at Mt St. Helens.

I drove up in a front-wheel drive VW Passat, the roads were perfectly dry. To get there, I took I-5 north towards Seattle. At the Castle Rock exit, turn right (east) and follow the road (which is or becomes 504) straight to the Coldwater Ridge visitor center. Most of the trails are closed due to snow, but you can drive right up to the Coldwater visitors center. We stopped at a couple of pull-outs on the road to take some pics. Johnson Ridge probably won't be open until May.

If you do make it up there, stick around for the park ranger talk. We had an EXCELLENT ranger who lives in the area. He knew Harry Truman and Dave Johnson and lived through the experience. It was an interesting trip, I'd highly recommend it.

I've never been to Biddy McGraws, 60th and Glisan is a good 15 min from downtown. I like the Rogue or BridgePort in the Pearl district, BridgePort has an excellent Porter.

Never been to Hotel Lucia, but have heard good things. I've been to the Heathman for breakfast and happy hour - very swanky.

Check the internet for Mt. St. Helens:

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation...html#coldwater

Johnson Ridge Observatory is closed for the season; limited hours at Coldwater Ridge.

Mt. St. Helens is a full day trip from Portland and further from Canon Beach. Of course, to the extent a lot of it is closed, it takes less time to visit. If you're planning to see the Columbia River Gorge and do the Mt. Hood loop, it will be time consuming, too.

If you want to be driving in the mountains in bad weather, it's a good idea to be carrying chains and to know how to use them, as they may be required. Not fun and not a very good idea!

Be flexible. You may find lots to do near Canon Beach, and driving into Washington will not get you better scenery than is available nearby. This is one I'd suggest you not overplan.

By "coastal" do you mean SR 105 between Raymond and Aberdeen? Skip it. US 101 is fast and the scenery is all north of Humptulips (my favorite place name in the US) anyway.

The open coast in Olympic NP is beautiful - way less developed than the Oregon coast - but the real draw IMO is the forest inland from the beach. There really isn't anything like it on the Oregon coast. The Quinault, Queets or Hoh valleys are really special, and, unlike some other destinations like Mt. St. Helens, not diminished by poopy weather - indeed, it makes it even more atmospheric. Just come with hats and raincoats that can handle it.

If you are wanting t o hike into some of the hot springs, be sure that they are still there. I know one washed away totally with some rain/flooding earlier this fall. A good source for up to date info on hiking is www.nwhikers.net.

Gardyloo, Don't you think exploring the Olympic Peninsula is a long day trip from Canon Beach? There is so much to do in those few days that is closer. The Tillamook head trail takes you through rainforest, too. It isn't the Hoh, but it is also beautiful and has the ocean crashing all around.
If you do count on emerging from your car and exploring, bring good boots, sunchip. (Why not spend a night on the OP, if you want to see it?)

The whole coast by Cannon Beach is amongst the best scenery on the entire coast, IMO. The trail from Ecola State Park to Indian Beach is a fun hike. Very pretty, fairly easy hike with beautiful ocean views.

Also, the Oslwald West State Park has a nice hike back to Short Sands Beach. There will even be wheelbarrows for you to haul your stuff down to the beach. ***kim***

Oh I agree a day trip to the Olympic NP coastal area from Cannon Beach is inferior to spending a night up there. But the OP indicated they were up for longish day trips, and enquired about what's north. A drive to Quinault or Hoh qualifies on both counts.

I will attest to being biased on the subject: I frankly think the NW coast of Oregon is over-rated by many. Cannon Beach is so cutsey that it makes my teeth ache; I frankly prefer Seaside or Long Beach for a more taffy-and-arcade experience, but that's just me. The scenery out on the capes and here and there is great, but the Oregon coast has an embarrassment of riches on the scenery front. As a rule, when the US government names an area a National Park it's with good reason, and Olympic NP is one of the best.