Minnie

After several weeks of reading posts, looking over guide books and maps, I am stumped. I am throwing myself on the mercy of anyone here who will offer help!

We have never been to Washington or Oregon--would like to enjoy the sights at a somewhat leisurely pace. There are no must-do's or must-see's. We are only limited by two factors: 1) 16 days at the end of July, two of which are travel days 2) My husband does not like a lot of one-night stopovers. We can fly into Seattle or Portland and out of either one. We will rent a car for the entire stay.

We are interested in visiting ONP--like the idea of staying at Lake Quinault and Lake Crescent Lodges--and Victoria. Cascade Loop and Columbia Gorge are also possibilities.

I will be grateful to anyone who has time to offer advice.

Thanks!

christy1

If I was just to answer the vague question, I'd say the best places to see in the PNW are the San Juan Islands, Mt. Rainier, the rainforests and beaches of ONP (unless you prefer something a little more cushy than a hike to a wilderness beach, in which case I'd say the Oregon Coast), and Seattle.

But, yours is a VERY broad question...it might be more helpful, if, after reading posts and guidebooks, as you have done, you throw up a list of all the stuff that sounds interesting to you. Posters can then tell you the best order, what is redundant, or if you've planned too much in too little time.
Also, Can you give us an idea of your interests? Are you interested in strenous outdoor activites or is a National Park visit more likely to be short walks and car sightseeing? Do you prefer city or nature activites, or a mix of both?

happytrailstoyou

This is the routing I would follow.

Fly to Portland and drive directly to Cannon Beach for two or three nights (about 80 miles). From there go to ONP staying at Lake Quinault Lodge (2) and Crescent Lake Lodge (2).

Check out Port Townsend on your way to Seattle (2-3).

Then, go to Mt. Rainier and Mount St. Helens (1-2) on your way to the Columbia River Gorge.

Use Hood River (2) as your base for visiting Mt. Hood. Also, take this drive: Highway 84 to Biggs and cross the Columbia to Maryhill where there is an interesting museum and a winery. From Maryhill drive west on WA 14 to Bingen where you can cross the Columbia back to Hood River. This drive affords spectacular views of the river and, on a clear day, Mt. Hood.

Spend your last night or two in Portland (1-2)--it's a very pleasant city.

Minnie

Happy Trails, Thanks so much for your trip plan. It is very clear and logical. I like the mix of cities and NP's. I'm feeling a lot less frustrated!

Christy, I did not mean to be vague, just open to all suggestions. We enjoy being outdoors, seeing nature sights and hiking (moderate). Husband loves to photograph anything interesting.

happytrailstoyou

Thank, Minnie. The two long

Gardyloo

I like Happytrails' route also, but I would probably try to do it more or less in reverse, spending the arrival night near the Portland airport. McMenamin's Edgefield (www.mcmenamins.com) would be a strong choice - 10 min. from PDX and a great place to refresh after a day on plane(s). The next day head east along the "historic" Gorge highway (which starts in Troutdale more or less right at the Edgefield), stopping to gawk, look at big sturgeon at the Bonneville hatchery, things like that. Cross the river at Hood River then keep going east to the Maryhill Museum. You can see the musuem, get a snack, and be back on your way in an hour and a half or so (and well worth it - Rodin in the sagebrush) then continue east to US 97. Turn left and head up past Mt. Adams on your left, over Satus Pass, through wonderful old west scenery and across the Yakama Reservation. Consider spending the night at one of the many B&Bs in the vinyards around Yakima, Sunnyside, other towns in the Yakima Valley.

Next day is longish but very rewarding. Continue up US 97 to US 2, then turn left (through apple growing country now) and over the Cascades at Stevens Pass. When you get to I-5, head south for a mile or two to the turnoff for SR 526, the "Boeing Freeway" which leads past the biggest building in the world (widebody assembly plant) to the town of Mukilteo. Spend the night at the Silver Cloud Inn, built right over the water on Puget Sound. Fish and chips at Ivar's next door (local chain - nothing fancy but tons of atmosphere) and watch the ferrys come and go to the ferry dock next door.

Next day you could take the Boeing plant tour (very interesting) and/or then take said ferry across to Whidbey Island, stopping for an hour or so at Langley, a very cute town on the island. Take the Keystone-Port Towensend ferry over to Port Townsend, window shop, then it's around an hour to Lake Crescent.

Base your tour of Hurricane Ridge and Victoria as day-trips from Port Angeles, using Lake Crescent as your base. If you don't take your car on the ferry it's an inexpensive and no-hassle trip, otherwise you have to kill time in line for the ferry at both ends, and it's expensive.

Most people feel a day trip to Victoria is sufficient, especially if you get an early start. If you want to see Butchart Gardens there are upnteen buses ready at the ferry dock to assist.

From then on, play it by ear and based on bookings - Lake Quinault, etc. If you want to go down to Cannon Beach or the northern Oregon coast, fine. If not, return to the Seattle area via US 101/I-5 (connect at Olympia) and spend at least 3 nights in Seattle in order to see the basics.

Hit Rainier and/or St. Helens as you head south from Seattle. Don't try both in one day; too much mountain and 2-lane driving. Frankly if you end up in Portland for a couple/three days at the end of the trip, both Mt. Hood and St. Helens are relatively easy day trips from there (not the same day of course.)

The intent of this route is to expose you to both sides of the Cascades - old west/desert/red rocks, the big river on the east, forest, rivers, farms, big cities and a famous ocean on the west. Gotta see both sides of the region IMO.

Note that in late July it could well be quite hot in Portland and especially in the eastern bits, but it's typically a dry heat and most folks from other climate zones don't find it as oppressive as humid/hot locales elsewhere. It ought to be beautiful and cool in the coastal areas. This winter has been so dry, however, that forest fires may be an issue in the east and in the hills, so keep an eyeball open to possible diversions.

Happy planning on your trip.

christy1

Here's another idea to consider. The North Cascades Highway is the prettiest in the NW, and there are so many opportunities for short hikes/scenic detours/photography, I'd say that's a must. After staying in Seattle (which could include a day trip to Mt. Rainier), you could drive over Stevens Pass (Hwy 2 and quite beautiful in its own right), up along the Columbia River, to the town of Winthrop (a little western themed outoor mecca) in the beautiful Methow Valley. Sun Mountain Lodge is a terrific place to stay (there are lots of other lodges and b and b's as well), and the area has that gorgeous ponderosa pine type western scenery with a backdrop of jagged peaks. There's a LOT to do in the Winthrop/Methow Valley area-hiking, biking, scenic drives, etc. Then continue west on Hwy 20 (the North Cascades Hwy), across the beautiful North Cascades-lots of short hikes and photo opportunities along this route. Take Hwy 20 to its end at Anacortes, where you could catch a ferry for one of the San Juan Islands. You could spend a few days there, whale watching, beachcombing, relaxing, hiking, eating great seafood, etc, before continuing on the ferry west to Sydney, BC, close to Victoria. After Victoria, you can catch the ferry to Port Angeles, where you could follow some of the previous suggestions for exploring ONP. One tip: if you are more interested in pristine wilderness beach, explore the coast at ONP (ie Cape Alava, a short easy hike from Lake Ozette, or Shi Shi beach). If you want more facilities, but less spectacular scenery, head to the Oregon Coast, ie Cannon Beach as one suggested.) If you really wanted to see St. Helens or the Gorge after ONP, you could do those on the way to/as day trips from Portland.
One final observation: Mt. Hood will be anticimatic after going to Rainier. Sorry, no offense, Hood lovers, but it just can't compare.

SnRSeattle

Hi, welcome to the PNW! Whichever way you go, be sure to get reservations NOW for Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault Lodge, they fill up fast. You are going at the best time for good weather, but since we have had such a dry winter, the waterfalls, etc. won't be as spectacular as usual. If you want leisurely pace, just pick one state or one side of the mountains, and stay longer in each place. The Washington beaches are quite different than Oregon ones, and cities, too, but you'll fall in love and come back, so go at a pace that is comfortable for you. A shorter trip would be to just do Washington--fly into Sea-Tac and go to Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and the coast (the southern beaches are sand and they get rockier and more rugged and scenic the more north you go--btw--they aren't for swimming, too cold and rough.) Kalaloch is great, as well as the Hoh rain forest. I like the idea of going to Victoria from Port Angeles, it's nice, especially the Provincial Museum, as well as Hurricane Ridge (base yourself out of town, though) then finish up in Seattle. Or do the reverse if you want the scenic for last, or depending when you can get reservations. Happy travels!
Sally

Orcas

I agree with christy on the Mt. Hood/Rainier comparison. I'd suggest you pass on Mt. Hood and visit Mt. Rainier. When you go to Rainier, plan on spending the night at Paradise Inn or at Longmire and stay two nights. Visit Ohanapakosh in the park, and drive to Sunrise if it's cloudy on the west side. Go on ranger hikes. It's awesome.
I'm glad you have two weeks. You'll have a chance to see the high desert, the mountains, the rain forests and the islands. Way cool!

Minnie

You guys are amazing! You have so many wonderful ideas.

Gardyloo, the McMenamin's-Edgefield looks like a fun place. I am curious about the driving times for day 2 and day 3. Any approximations here? We tend to spend a long time looking at things as previously mentioned, one of us is compelled to photograph anything interesting. It sounds like there will be a lot to photograph on both of these road trips.

I just noticed three most posts came in as I was typing this. I will need a while to go over everything. I really appreciate all of the detailed information. I'm sure I will have more questions.

johnthedorf

Minnie,
16 days and no Wineries on your list? No Columbia Gorge Hotel? Ok, Ok...guess you can't do everything. By that I mean if you can possibly swing it why not spend your time a little more "Slowly" and make three or four trips. To try and to justice to your trip and your husband's mental state I'd recommend basing in or around Portland or Seattle since it is a bit different than doing NYC and Boston in 16 days. Too much drive time and too little enjoying it all.

Minnie

My husband's mental state is important to me! In addition, we will have our 17 year old daughter along with us. She would prefer to be in Hawaii. My husband likes Sally's idea of just concentrating on Seattle, Rainier, and the ONP.

Oh well, at least I'm no longer frustrated. I am curious about Washington beaches. Also not sure if trips to Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens should be day trips. What is the driving time for each? A day trip would eliminate packing up and relocating. I am supposed to minimize those events.

Everyone is so helpful, thanks again.

hopingtotravel

I second Gardyloo's reverse order plus seeing a bit of the 'dry' side of the mountains. Between Hood River and Portland you definitely want to be on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge.

Orcas

Pacific NW beaches are not like Hawaii. They're not places you lay out and toast. They are places you fly kites and walk up and down; look in tidepools at starfish and sea anenomes; pick up pretty rocks and shells; run down the dunes; view from the roadway; hike through a rain forest. You always need to have a sweatshirt and long pants nearby.
The Washington coast is particularly pathetic, as so much of it is private. If you get to the Oregon coast, you will know what I mean. The contrast could not be more vivid. Oregon's coast is 97% public, and easily accessible and viewable. There are big cliffs, rain forests, wide beaches, huge rocks jutting into the waters. It's gorgeous. I imagine a lot of the Washington coast must be similar. Too bad we don't have access to most of it.
YOu could do Mt. Rainier on a day trip, but you'd regret it. It's far too varied and beautiful and deserves more than one day. Mt. St. Helens is more of a day trip, especially because there isn't anywhere decent to stay in the vicinity.

Gardyloo

Minnie, from Hood River to Mukilteo via the route I mentioned is around 6-8 hours' total driving time, so taking it over 2 or three days is not especially pushing it, but of course people have different tolerances for "butt in seat" time. If you wanted, you could go up to I-90 and over the freeway to I-405, joining I-5 just before the SR 526 junction.

easytraveler

So many things to do, so little time!

Personally, I'd take the some time out from Portland and go to Vancouver. Vancouver is such a vibrant city!

Also agree that Oregon coast is far more scenic than Washington's - and I've hiked down to a lot of the beaches in Washington! If it's a choice of which beaches, I'd choose Oregon's.

Also subjectively my opinion only, if it were my first trip to the PNW, I'd stick to the coastal areas, except for the Columbia River Gorge. ONP is great, lots of good hikes; so are the San Juan Islands. See Mt Rainier and the big cities of Seattle, Vancouver, and maybe Portland. That's more than enough for two weeks.

Come back and do the inland parts, especially when your daughter is old enough to test the wines!

Minnie

You guys are really helping a lot!

I have a question about Columbia River Gorge. My scenic tour book show two drives for this area: 1)Columbia River Gorge Road along 14 - 2)Mt. Hood Columbia River Gorge Loop - Which one would be better to do?

I am still trying to organize things, but now much better informed.

johnthedorf

Minnie,

Hwy14 is in Wa. and 84 is in Or. If you are coming from Seattle take 14 and cross at the Bridge of the Gods to 84. From Portland...the reverse. http://www.columbiagorgehotel.com/2000/sights.asp

beachbum

The Mt. Hood Columbia River Gorge Loop is from Portland up the gorge via the Columbia River Highway to Hood River, south from there up to Mt. Hood, then back into Portland on 26. Regardless of whether or not you do the loop, I think most would agree the Columbia River Highway is the most scenic route up the gorge.

Gardyloo

One thing to note about the mountain tours this year is that snowpacks are at record lows, so by the height of the summer things may well be quite dry and dusty, even hot, at some of the mountain visitor centers (Timberline, Paradise, etc.)

On a positive note, word last night that the NPS is re-opening the Johnston Ridge Visitor Center at Mt. St. Helens (the closest center to the crater) as of May 1 or so. It's been closed since last fall when the mountain started spitting up again.