Upper Northwest road trip
 

I would appreciate any comments about our itinerary this June (15-30th). Fly to Seattle, rent a car, go to Victoria, BC, Nanaimo, BC, Vancouver, BC, Calgary, Alberta, Whitefish, MT (Glacier Park), Coeur D'Alene, ID, and back to Seattle. It's about 2000 miles, counting in-around travel. Thanks for any input. Gbrooke

It will be a full two weeks but certainly doable.

If your only reason for inclding Nanaimo is for the ferry back to the mainland, use the Swartz Bay departure instead - closer to Victoria and a much more scenic ferry ride.

Might suggest you cut up to Jasper NP as you pass through the Rockies, then down the Icefields Hwy to Banff NP before cutting over to Calgary. You probably thought of that anyway. Note accommodations in the Canadian national parks get tight quickly, ditto around Glacier NP in the US.

Try to include Grand Coulee Dam in your return itinerary, maybe followed by crossing SR 20 (North Cascades NP) or US 2 (Stevens Pass) to return to Seattle, rather than I-90.

Happy planning!

I want to agree with Gardyloo, make sure you drive the Icefield Hwy between Jasper and Banff. It will be the highlight of your trip.

Utahtea

Try to get to Glacier Nat. Park and Olympic Nat. Park.

Don't miss a trip up to Mount Ranier while in seattle - sunrise or paradise point. It is truly spectacular.

In Victoria - don't miss the botanical gardens.
In Vancouver - don't miss Grouse Mountain (i think that's the name?)

have fun!

Many thanks to all of you for your good suggestions. What a great resource!

There's so much more to Vancouver Island than Victoria and Namaino. If time allows, try to spend a day driving up the eastern coast at least as far a Campbell River. I'd suggest staying at Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge on Quadra Island. It is run by the Laichwiltach people and offers a unique respite from all the touristy resort towns at about eighty dollars per night US. Enjoy your trip and do consider adding Jasper and Banff NP to your itinerary!

Yellow Point Lodge near Nanaimo is outstanding. If you can use Highway 20 through Washington's North Cascades pass in either direction, that route is terrific. Sun Mountain Lodge in the Methow Valley on the eastern side of the pass is a family favorite. Great trip, wish I was making it.

Thanks again to all. With so many great places to see/visit, it's hard to make choices. We've now settled on Victoria and Vancouver visits, skipping Nanaimo; then on to Kamloops, next to Valemount, BC; then to Jasper; down the Icefields Pkwy to Banff. Then to Calgary, and we'll make our way then to Whitefish for a couple of days at GNP. After that, on across Idaho's panhandle, Pend Oreille Lake, etc., and thence to Seattle for a couple of days. Whew! I'm tired already. Thanks Again!