Snoqualmie Pass or Steven Pass?
 

Hi,

Just a quick question - we're doing a bit of driving over the next few weeks in Washington and BC, Canada and have two possible options for getting from Seattle to Wenatchee - either I90, through Snoqualmie Pass or US2 through Stevens Pass.

I'm guessing the Stevens Pass route might give us a bit more of a chance to see the scenery, although am quite keen on the idea of Snoqualmie as I used to be a big Twin Peaks fan.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

Chris

Usually, I-90 moves a bit faster than HWY 2, but we prefer HWY 2. Just a personal preference though.

Agree with mms, Hwy 2 is beautiful!

As the above said. Hwy 2 is scenic. However, it is also just 2 lanes in many areas making the journey slow if anything should happen on either of those 2 lanes or you get stuck behind an RV.

Hwy 2 will also take you right past Leavenworth. A good spot to grab some ice cream (a childhood tradition) and stretch your legs.

I-90 takes you through not so scenic Cle Elum, and is a pretty uneventful drive.

I'm a big fan of Snoqualmie. It never fails to impress me with its beauty no matter how many times I drive over it. It seems to me I recall stopping at the town of Snoqualmie to see the falls, also. I could be remembering wrong, as it was several years ago.

If you ever saw the series "Northern Exposure," you can also see Roslyn's cafe in the town of Roslyn, which was the setting for the series.

I like Snoqualmie best as well (and the falls are gorgeous, if you have the time)- but have bad memories of a very long delay a few years ago. So lesson learned- check both before you go for delay/construction warnings! Hwy 2 is beautiful, though.

Highway 2/Stevens is heads and tails above Snoqualmie for scenery. Snoqualmie is the interstate and they took the path of least resistance over the mountains, so you will go through the lowest part of the Cascades there. You will also see lots of clearcuts, drawn-down reserviors and ski area development. It is multi-lane so if time is an issue that is something to consider. I guess it just depends on how badly you'd like to see the Twin Peaks site.
You know, you could visit Snoqualmie/North Bend, and then take 202 up the Snoqualmie Valley to Monroe, where you'd get on Hwy 2. That would be longer but quite scenic.

If you decide on I-90, stop at the rest station just beyond Cle Elm. If it is a clear day you will have a good view of the North Cascades.

If you wish to see the falls, you must leave the highway (I90). Both roads are beautiful, but go the route by Leavenworth;it's a bit glitzy but fun, and the mountains are awesome.