Hi, we are planning to go on a week long Road Trip around Washington State in May. So far on our interest list are
Seattle
Olympic NP
Mt Rainer
Mt St Helen's (or which one is nicer if we have only time for one)
the Columbia River
the North Cascades NP.
Anyone has any ideas for stops or interesting things to do/see there or anywhere along the way?
We are interested in scenic drives and scenery, taking picture, small hikes.
Thanks Julia

There has been lots of snow on both Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helen's this winter. You will not be able to get to all the places that you would be able to get to in late June or July.
The snow covered mountain you can visit when you come to Oregon to see the Columbia Gorge is Mt. Hood.
The hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls (Oregon's highest), gives a great view of the Columbia Gorge.
Take the time to see both Seattle and Portland.

Looks like your first post; welcome to Fodor's!

Unfortunately, it's easy to edit your list given you're talking about May.

The road through North Cascades NP Might still be closed by snow. While last year at this time there was a record low amount of snow in the Cascades, this year the snowfall has been well above normal. Usually Highway 20 through the park opens sometime in late April or mid-May, this year it might be dicey. Regardless, even if the road is open there will be deep snow on both sides of the road, and any trails will still be closed.

Same goes for Mount Rainier - the park roads will be open at higher altitudes (most, not all) but the trails will be snow-covered. The Paradise visitor center will be open; the Sunrise center and the road to it will still be closed. As of today there's around 17 feet of snow on the ground at Paradise.

Mt. St. Helens will likewise be subject to the weather and road conditions. The road to the Johnston Ridge observatory, and the observatory itself, usually opens "sometime in May," but, again, this has been an above-average snowy winter.

So that leaves Olympic NP and the Columbia Gorge. Fortunately, May is a great time of year for both. In Olympic NP, Hurricane Ridge may or may not be accessible (again, snow) but the coastal beaches and the rain forest valleys will be open and spectacular.

Likewise, the Columbia Gorge waterfalls will be full of water from melting snows, the Hood River Valley orchards will be in bloom, and if you want an easy day in the snow, a drive up to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood will give you a great day on the side of the marvelous big volcano.

With just a week you're still going to have to be on the move most of the time. I'd recommend a day in Seattle, then three days on the Olympic Peninsula, then south to Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia. Then head inland up the river to the Columbia Gorge and Hood River Valley for a couple of days, then back to Seattle.

On the Olympic peninsula, visit Neah Bay which has an interesting museum (it's a village that was buried in mud 300 or 400 years ago, thus preserving the wood of structures and implements). From there find out how to get to the walk that takes you to the western most point of the 48 States. The last time we took this walk, there were lots of eagles flying around.

The drive to Neah Bay on Highway 112 is interesting. It goes through some out-of-the-way towns and there are good views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca from time to time. Once you reach Clallam Bay, 112 follows right along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is one of my favorite drives in WA.

In Neah Bay look for a sign that reads "Ocean Beaches." It points to a scenic drive.

The Warmhouse Restaurant in Neah Bay serves typical fare.

There is an easy and pleasant hike to Marymere Falls from the ranger station on Lake Crescent, and the drive along the shore of Lake Crescent is very scenic.

Having seen Cape Disappointment mentioned here a few times, we checked it out a few days ago on our way to the Oregon coast. Unfortunately, the hike to the lighthouse was beyond my current capacity to enjoy. However, I was intrigued by the town of Ilwaco, which we passed through on our way to the cape. When I got home, I researched Ilwaco's history and found this interesting bit: "“Travelers from Oregon or inland Washington could take a steamer down the Columbia River to Ilwaco, where they could travel by stage, and later by the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company train to the ocean beach resorts on the Long Beach Peninsula. They could also travel to Oysterville, or Nahcotta, by stage and train, connecting with a passenger steamer to cross Willapa Bay to Raymond or South Bend.”

The train tracks are still visible on the streets of Ilwaco.

The drive along the shore of Willapa Bay was also extremely beautiful on the sunny day we were in the region.

HTtY

Thanks, great ideas with the museum and waterfalls. We put Seattle to another weekend so we have more time for the rest. Mountains are on hold and we will take phone numbers from the visitor centers to call/check website and see what it will be weather wise.

"which one is nicer"???


There is no comparison.


When talking of the most prominent mountain peaks in the lower 48, Mount Rainier is three thousand feet(30%) more prominent than any of the others, and is much more awe-inspiring the closer you get to it.


Though you can see 4 of the 13 most prominent mountain peaks in the lower 48 from various spots on land in the greater Seattle area (on a clear day {cough} ) ... and 6 of them if in the air high above Seattle on a clear day.


Plan to go to Paradise, at the very least.