Last minute visit - need ideas on off-beaten-path stops
Oct 18th, 2000, 10:41 AM
#1
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Last minute visit - need ideas on off-beaten-path stops
HI All - So excited to head back to the Pacific NW next week on a last minute trip. We've been before and LOVED it. Am looking for some different ideas to do this visit. We've done Seattle sights, Rainier, Victoria, Olympic Pen., San Juan Isles on a previous trip. We're a fairly athletic couple - love to hike, sea kayak, etc. We have 6 full days.
Any thoughts on to do's outside of the sights already mentioned? We have the great outdoors in mind. Can't decide if we should head south to the Mt St Helens/Oregon coast, or head North from Seattle and check out the Cascades. Or East?! What are our chances with the weather for outdoor activities? We have no itinerary, no lodging, no plans as of yet... any insight
into any of the above would be much appreciated! Thanks.
Any thoughts on to do's outside of the sights already mentioned? We have the great outdoors in mind. Can't decide if we should head south to the Mt St Helens/Oregon coast, or head North from Seattle and check out the Cascades. Or East?! What are our chances with the weather for outdoor activities? We have no itinerary, no lodging, no plans as of yet... any insight
into any of the above would be much appreciated! Thanks.
Oct 18th, 2000, 11:00 AM
#2
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Hi Colleen, I'd vote for the North Cascades. You should still be able to cross the N. Cascades Highway next week, and there should still be excellent hiking over in the Mazama/Winthrop area (I don't *think* the snow has started to fly yet). There might even be some fall color still. A nice loop trip would be to cross the N. Cascades Highway (Rt. 20) in one direction, and Rt. 2 via Leavenworth in the other.
Of course, you'll need to bring the Gore-tex jackets just in case...it probably will rain at least a couple days while you're here. Have fun!
Of course, you'll need to bring the Gore-tex jackets just in case...it probably will rain at least a couple days while you're here. Have fun!
Oct 18th, 2000, 11:15 AM
#3
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Hi Colleen,
some ideas:
Mt st. helens was great. a trip to vancouver (downtown, grouse mountain - feel like you're on top of the world, and stanley park), and in seattle, across the bridge toward redmond there's a waterfall/hike area called Shanendoah Falls ( i think ). wonderful and moderate hike down to a gushing river and the base of the waterfall.
some ideas:
Mt st. helens was great. a trip to vancouver (downtown, grouse mountain - feel like you're on top of the world, and stanley park), and in seattle, across the bridge toward redmond there's a waterfall/hike area called Shanendoah Falls ( i think ). wonderful and moderate hike down to a gushing river and the base of the waterfall.
Oct 18th, 2000, 12:12 PM
#4
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Hi, Colleen,
For a chance at better weather, nice fall color, great outdoor options, and dandy country and off-the-beaten-path options, you might consider an Eastern Washington - Columbia Gorge loop. From Seattle US Rte. 2 over the Cascades, through Leavenworth and Wenatchee, and over to the Grand Coulee Dam. Whoa. Then south, following the Columbia River for a while, and over to Yakima, possibly touring and staying in the lovely wine country in the Yakima Valley. Maybe a nice young Beaujolais?
From there, south on US 97 across the Yakama Indian Reservation to Goldendale, making a point of visiting the Maryhill Museum overlooking the Columbia, for a surprising blast of culture in the boonies, and the nearby reconstruction of Stonehenge, built as a war (WW I) memorial by the same visionary who built the house cum museum.
On to White Salmon, across from Hood River, Ore., convenient for exploring the Klikatat River gorge and the Mt. Adams region, a spectactularly beautiful area quite off the beaten path. Hike to Indian Heaven on the mountainside, through the autumn color and maybe gather some late huckleberries or blueberries en route.
From White Salmon/Hood River you can make a quick trip through the orchards to Mt. Hood, maybe a short hike up from Timberline Lodge (beautiful), or else carry down the Columbia Gorge, traveling the "Old" Gorge highway on the Oregon side west from Cascade Locks (built by the Stonehenge guy). Then on to Portland, or stay at McMenamin's Edgefield, the former Multnomah County Poor Farm, now converted to a hotel/brewery/winery/restaurant/movie complex, near Troutdale. Drop the car in Portland or zip 3 hours up the freeway back to Sea-Tac.
This route requires a fair amount of driving, but is easily doable in 6 days, and offers a good chance of okay weather. It will give you a great selection of some of the northwest's best scenery and byways.
For a chance at better weather, nice fall color, great outdoor options, and dandy country and off-the-beaten-path options, you might consider an Eastern Washington - Columbia Gorge loop. From Seattle US Rte. 2 over the Cascades, through Leavenworth and Wenatchee, and over to the Grand Coulee Dam. Whoa. Then south, following the Columbia River for a while, and over to Yakima, possibly touring and staying in the lovely wine country in the Yakima Valley. Maybe a nice young Beaujolais?
From there, south on US 97 across the Yakama Indian Reservation to Goldendale, making a point of visiting the Maryhill Museum overlooking the Columbia, for a surprising blast of culture in the boonies, and the nearby reconstruction of Stonehenge, built as a war (WW I) memorial by the same visionary who built the house cum museum.
On to White Salmon, across from Hood River, Ore., convenient for exploring the Klikatat River gorge and the Mt. Adams region, a spectactularly beautiful area quite off the beaten path. Hike to Indian Heaven on the mountainside, through the autumn color and maybe gather some late huckleberries or blueberries en route.
From White Salmon/Hood River you can make a quick trip through the orchards to Mt. Hood, maybe a short hike up from Timberline Lodge (beautiful), or else carry down the Columbia Gorge, traveling the "Old" Gorge highway on the Oregon side west from Cascade Locks (built by the Stonehenge guy). Then on to Portland, or stay at McMenamin's Edgefield, the former Multnomah County Poor Farm, now converted to a hotel/brewery/winery/restaurant/movie complex, near Troutdale. Drop the car in Portland or zip 3 hours up the freeway back to Sea-Tac.
This route requires a fair amount of driving, but is easily doable in 6 days, and offers a good chance of okay weather. It will give you a great selection of some of the northwest's best scenery and byways.
Oct 20th, 2000, 10:20 AM
#6
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In the Columbia River Gorge, there's a fantastic B&B called the Inn at the White Salmon. Its on the Washington side, along the White Salmon River. The rooms are smallish and fitted with antiques, but the breakfast is to die for! The baker is up all evening creating 20 different pastries, along with the regular breakfast items (omelettes, pancakes, etc.). You won't need to eat for the rest of the day!
Check out the Stonehenge replica at Marymount, not far from where Rte 97 enters the Gorge. Check to see if the Astronomical Observatory at Goldendale (on Rte 97, close to the Gorge) is open for public viewing. Take the short walk up to Multnomah Falls on the Oregon side of the Gorge. There are several nice hikes off Rte 2, particularly near Leavenworth, along the Icicle Creek drainage. If you are into wine, there are a number of wineries in the Yakima Valley. Staton Hills Winery is close to Rte 97 in Wapato. There are several wineries just a few miles to the east in Zillah (Horizon's Edge, Covey Run, Portteus Vineyards). There's some nice canoeing and/or rafting on the Wenatchee and/or Yakima Rivers. And, locals know that the best place to stop for a milk shake on Rte 2 is Zeke's Drive In, west of Stevens Pass. Another nice hike is to Wallace Falls, near the town of Startup along Rte 2. Have fun! Hope the weather cooperates! This time of year, you never know. Of course, you can expect the weather to be substantially drier east of the Cascades.
Check out the Stonehenge replica at Marymount, not far from where Rte 97 enters the Gorge. Check to see if the Astronomical Observatory at Goldendale (on Rte 97, close to the Gorge) is open for public viewing. Take the short walk up to Multnomah Falls on the Oregon side of the Gorge. There are several nice hikes off Rte 2, particularly near Leavenworth, along the Icicle Creek drainage. If you are into wine, there are a number of wineries in the Yakima Valley. Staton Hills Winery is close to Rte 97 in Wapato. There are several wineries just a few miles to the east in Zillah (Horizon's Edge, Covey Run, Portteus Vineyards). There's some nice canoeing and/or rafting on the Wenatchee and/or Yakima Rivers. And, locals know that the best place to stop for a milk shake on Rte 2 is Zeke's Drive In, west of Stevens Pass. Another nice hike is to Wallace Falls, near the town of Startup along Rte 2. Have fun! Hope the weather cooperates! This time of year, you never know. Of course, you can expect the weather to be substantially drier east of the Cascades.
