Author: KMartin286
Date: 01/02/2009, 01:28 pm
Hello Fodorites. I really need help We are two couples early 60's non hikers heading for a fishing trip on June 9th on the Columbia River. So we have to be around the Gorge the night before for sure. We fly into Portland on June 5th in afternoon and renting a car, flying out on June 15th. We want to hit the most gorgeous scenery of Mt St Helens, Rainier and the coast but prefer the out of the way/ smaller hotels and great but cheap food. How much is doable? My guess is that we will either go up into Wash for a few days and then hit the gorge for fishing and then go south, but can we make both Olympic Natl park and Crater lake in this trip or should we just stay around the Columbia River- venturing a few hours here and there. I am stumped. We don't like lots of driving each day, but don't mind it every few days. Please help with a round trip circle of stops and lodging, meals, etc. Time is runnign short. Oh we prefer to stay under $150 a night but understand on weekends it might be worse. THANKS

I think the idea of heading north on the 6th is a good one. You could visit St. Helens along the way, and still have a full 1.5 days at Rainier before heading back south. It'd be a real stretch to include Olympic National Park though.

For the southern loop, I'd suggest two nights on the north Oregon coast, and another two on the central coast. Seaside and Cannon Beach are the usual suspects on the north coast, but if you're looking for "out of the way" consider one of these places: http://www.oregoncoast.com/terimore/ or http://www.oldwheelerhotel.com/. I've not stayed in either, but both come with good recommendations. And they definitely ARE off the beaten path.

I wouldn't say the same about Overleaf Lodge in Yachats - http://www.overleaflodge.com/ - but recommend you stay there anyway. IMO, it's got the best setting of any lodging on the Oregon coast. Nearby Adobe Resort or Fireside Motel would be lower priced, but also good options.

Crater Lake is 5 hours south of Portland, but considering that the north entrance to the Park probably won't be open by your dates, longer. You could fit in a short visit via the south entrance, but that's a long detour.

Once you've settled on an itinerary, we can help fill in the holes.

Thanks for the insight beach bum!! I live on the East coast only 8 miles from the Atlantic and can relate to being a beach bum LOL
Your ideas are terrific and we aren't totally sold on Crater Lake but thought it might be fun. Would perhaps going east along the Columbia find us some cool spots for scenery or even fishing? Thanks for everything.

A couple of thoughts/observations...

So far this is a very snowy winter, and if past winters are any indication, you might well find that high country (e.g. the lodges at Mt. Rainier) is still pretty wintry in early June. Might or might not, but it may well be too early for things like wildflower shows or day hikes.

If Mt. Rainier was taken off the list (maybe substitute Mt. Hood - Timberline is nicer than Paradise anyway) then you might have enough time to get up to the Pacific coastal strip of Olympic NP. I would really try to do so, because the rain forest valleys, especially Quinault and Hoh, are quite unique in the Lower 48, and well worth the extra couple of driving hours IMO.

For fishing options, I'd recommend going down the north (WA) shore of the Columbia from Portland, with a thought of some fishing charters out of Ilwaco near the river mouth. There's also good bank fishing (salmon if present, sturgeon) on the Columbia, as well as river fishing on various tributaries.

Because the Columbia takes a sharp northward turn at Portland, you can combine the drive up/down the river with your trip to Mt. St. Helens, since MSH is quite close to Longview, where I-5 meets the Columbia. I could see a Portland - MSH - River - Quinault - Oregon coast "loop" quite easily.

Also in June I wouldn't discount the areas east of the Columbia Gorge either. Visit Maryhill Museum near Goldendale, and be sure to see the Klickitat River canyon near White Salmon. If it is a late spring, you might also encounter some great apple blossoms around the Hood River valley.

As for accommodation, my private broken record for visitors is McMenamin's Edgefield - www.mcmenamins.com - for a very enjoyable, affordable, and unique entry point into the Columbia Gorge area.

KMartin - To your questions, beyond what Gardyloo has already said, I can only add, "what he said". Especially the suggestion for a charter out of Ilwaco, or maybe some town further down the coast; Garibaldi, Nehalem, Depoe Bay, or Newport are other possibles.

Most visitors to the Gorge don't go further east than Hood River, which is one of the world's windsurfing "capitals". Multnomah Falls and other popular tourist stops are west of there, closer to Portland. East of Hood River, the climate is much drier, and the scenery reflects that. Still beautiful, just in a different way.

Washington State Parks has great places to stay very reasobable prices for houses.
Ask tho about bath accomodations. Stewards House we love at Fort Columbia (south Washington state across the huge Columbia river at Astoria is upstairs and no shower but a fabulous antique clawed tub.
Cape Dissappointment is right on the ocean
Lots of things to do do in this area..let me know if you want more info..we've done this trip many times...

www.parks.wa.gov
click on rentals or vacation homes