Northwest road trip help

[bcla]

I agree there are a lot of places to get coffee. That is why I asked what he meant. A lot of time people plan to go to the flagship Starbucks thinking it will quick like any other Starbucks and they are shocked that there is a line out the wazoo. If it were me I would go up to B&O Espresso and get an espresso shake.

If you just want to get a photo for a Facebook post and you don't include drive time through Seattle then yes, we can say it can be done in 2 hours. I said you couldn't drive through Seattle and do Pike's Place in 2 hours. By do I mean walk through and experience any shops or venders. You were extremely lucky to just find street parking. I don't even try to find street parking, I have 2 garages I park in depending on the weather. I don't even try to find street parking.

Maybe the whole 2 hour thing was a little bit optimistic, but it doesn't sound like it would be a disaster if they end up doing that and ending up taking 4 hours because of delays. I rather recommend taking the ferry to Seattle because (however short it is) there's a certain amount of fun to getting on the ferry. I think the kids would probably enjoy it.

I get that their plans are always fluid. Some of my best experiences were when we had a loose plan with 2 or 3 days staying at the same place, and the flexibility to do something different depending on available time or even local recommendations.

 

[bcla]

Someone mentioned the Port Angeles is kind of boring. True. However, the area has some interesting places such as Dungeness (the namesake of Dungeness crab) and Sequim, which grows lots of lavender.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I'm kind of confused as to some of the stuff you've posted.

The old Henry Jackson Visitor Center (part of the curious Mission 66 project) was torn down in 2009. I was there while the new building was still under construction but the old round building was still open. So this building is now gone.

This is the new place:

It seems to be patterned after the Paradise Inn.

so is this the building where the climbers come down, take their equipment off and wait for transport and was the Jacksong building higher up on the ridge...I just remember 1977 as being a glorius spring view and that a path was easy to accesss to skirt aaround the edge and tell folks that you actually on the mountain.

2019 july this was all fogged and could not even see the trees.

 

[bcla]

so is this the building where the climbers come down, take their equipment off and wait for transport and was the Jacksong building higher up on the ridge...I just remember 1977 as being a glorius spring view and that a path was easy to accesss to skirt aaround the edge and tell folks that you actually on the mountain.

2019 july this was all fogged and could not even see the trees.

I was thinking of the main visitor center. It was near the lower parking lot area at Paradise. The previous building was round with windows at the top and ramps to walk up to see through those windows. The newer one has a more traditional lodge look with a peaked roof and is really close to Paradise Inn.

 

[chickapin parterre]

so ...the main visitor center is where the climbers come down and take off their gear. That is where I saw the concrete walls on the parking lot level. for the bad weather that july 2019 that center was packed, you could barely walk around in the uninspiring layout....with the bad weather makes sense to buy souvenirs and hot dogs.

 

[bcla]

so ...the main visitor center is where the climbers come down and take off their gear. That is where I saw the concrete walls on the parking lot level. for the bad weather that july 2019 that center was packed, you could barely walk around in the uninspiring layout....with the bad weather makes sense to buy souvenirs and hot dogs.

I'm not sure where climbers are supposed to take off their gear. When we were there, we talked to a few climbers coming down, and they were already changed into certain more comfortable equipment. Some were wearing sandals, as I understand that hard mountaineering boots are way uncomfortable.

This is what the current Henry Jackson Visitor Center looks like:

Did you mention a concrete building? Because the only thing that sounds like that was the old Henry Jackson Visitor Center, which was round and made of a combination of concrete and wood. The new one is mostly a wood building with a peaked roof.

As far as I can tell, there are a couple of small buildings where the previous visitor center used to be. They tried to hide it, but the tree are noticeably smaller than the surrounding ones. I believe this was the spot:

https://www.google.com/maps/@46.784...B4SWIl7EUMgG_J_hg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-US

 

[chickapin parterre]

they were coming down in groves that day as the peak had been cancelled. gear was piled everywhere and those boots were indeed down right uncomfortable. Where that white cigarette crusher or chain fence post up against the post is where we met our nephew. It was surreal to see all the climbers.....weather, overfill parking lots, fog and then this building. And that big window was where the gift shop was located. all those people.

 

[SteveMouse]

Just as a heads-up- I saw that there were some fire warnings in Oregon that suggest it could be another dry year.

 

[barkley]

Just as a heads-up- I saw that there were some fire warnings in Oregon that suggest it could be another dry year.

there was a thankfully quickly contained fire here in eastern washington the other day. fire officials have already issued warnings that they feel this year could be another bad one fire wise for the entire state.

another packing suggestion-mosquito repellent. despite some recent snow in our area they are already out and biting. during the summer and fall months they can chew you to bits.

 

[barkley]

sorry-double post

 

[person]

I wanted to tell you that there is a place in Washington called Leavenworth. Now, that is a place you want to experience! Its a little Bavarian town.

https://Leavenworth.org

Sounds interesting; there's also a place in Michigan that is also thoroughly German...

 

[GusGus77]

Thanks everyone! We have eliminated things before and after this section of our trip (Yosemite before and Yellowstone after) so we now have a few more days to add in and play with. Plus we found out Crater Lake will not be that exciting as most of it will not be open yet when we go. Not worth the time out of the way. We did end up getting a full day in Seattle on the new itinerary. Thank you for the advice there- the coffee better come with money attached to the bottom of the cup if I am waiting in a long line for it Not waiting an hour for Starbucks! We do have some flexibility in our itinerary and will be able to go to the flow some of things don’t seem to be working.

 

[bcla]

Thanks everyone! We have eliminated things before and after this section of our trip (Yosemite before and Yellowstone after) so we now have a few more days to add in and play with. Plus we found out Crater Lake will not be that exciting as most of it will not be open yet when we go. Not worth the time out of the way. We did end up getting a full day in Seattle on the new itinerary. Thank you for the advice there- the coffee better come with money attached to the bottom of the cup if I am waiting in a long line for it Not waiting an hour for Starbucks! We do have some flexibility in our itinerary and will be able to go to the flow some of things don’t seem to be working.

I've waited for coffee before. Was staying at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan and didn't have in-room coffee, so I waited in line at the cafe downstairs for a half hour. But I learned my less the next day by going outside and turning a left to the Starbucks where there was no line. I'm not a Starbucks fan, but it's acceptable if there are no other options. But the oldest location somehow gets lines out the door.

If you really have to have Starbucks, there's actually one in the Target store about a block away. It would take less time to walk there, pick up some coffee, and walk back than it would be to wait in line.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sta...1ee154aab!2m2!1d-122.3383191!2d47.6083448!3e2
If you've got time I'd suggest taking a walk around Seattle Center. You don't necessarily need to go up the Space Needle, but it's a good walk. As far as places to eat, there's Dick's Drive-In (which isn't really a drive-in in Queen Anne. It's just cheap burgers, but it's got quite a reputation. This was the location where Bill Gates was interviewed for 60 Minutes.

 

[bethy]

If you have a day in Seattle that's great. It's late right now but I will and circle back tomorrow to give you some great non shopping and non waiting in line ideas

 

[GusGus77]

Our new itinerary since everyone was so helpful! (Well, the second half. The first half is Illinois to Las Vegas to see family.) We are trying to stay in places that are convenient to where we are going (so while Fork and Port Angeles are not exciting, we are only staying there for easier access to Olympic, for example. We have no plans to do anything in these towns.) We probably won’t camp, but have it as an option in a few places. Problem is our tent is clunky and a pain to put up so we don’t want to camp if we are getting in somewhere late. Also, I have kids, so we don’t have room for appropriate camping gear if it gets cold at night as we will be gone 5-weeks and the van will be packed. Also, we have done a trip before and 6-hrs of driving is no big deal to us. So yes, it is a lot of driving, we don’t mind. (Although open to suggestions to make it more efficient.) Also mentioning that this will be early June. So many things still not open, especially at Glacier. This will probably be our only chance to hit Glacier, though, regardless of how abrupt our stay will be there. (Any tips on Glacier at this time are appreciated. As well as also what to see/do during our short times at the other parks.)

Day 1 Drive LV to Sequoia NP (7-hrs) Leave 5am. See some of Sequoia.
Overnight in Three Rivers (would love other ideas here.) Maybe camp Sequoia but reservations are not open yet.

Day 2: Crystal Cave Tour (1 1/2hr drive)
Explore Kings Canyon
Overnight in Fresno (1 1/2 hr drive.)
*Fresno puts us in the right direction and we have hotel rewards points we can use there

Day 3: Drive to San Francisco (3-hrs)
Explore some
Overnight near Fisherman’s Wharf )again, we have rewards points, so it is only $40 for parking.)

Day 4: Alcatraz
Explore San Francisco
Overnight again SF
*Note- this is a Monday*

Day 5: Drive to Redwoods (leave EARLY) 6hr
Hike Boy Scout Trail (4-hrs)
Drive to Natural Bridges (1hr)
Overnight in Brookings (maybe camp Harris Beach State Park)

Day 6: Drive to Multnomah Falls (6hrs)
See the Falls
Overnight somewhere (near Portland)

Day 7: Drive to Mt St Helens early (1 1/2hrs)
See Mt St Helens
Drive to Forks, WA late (4-hrs)
Overnight in Forks

Day 8: Olympic NP- Hoh Rain forest, Rialto Beach
Drive to Port Angeles
Overnight Port Angeles

Day 9: Olympic NP- Hurricane Ridge
Overnight ??? (Maybe drive back to Seattle as we can use hotel points vs another night on Port Angeles which is expensive for what you get. Open to suggestions. We want to take the ferry at some point.)

Day 10: Seattle- see them throw some fish, Museum of Flight (this is a maybe as we are not really comfortable indoor places right now, but both my children want to go into the aeronautical field at the moment, so...)
Overnight Seattle (again at the same place as day 9 preferable, but not required.)
*This is a Sunday*

Day 11: Drive to Mt Ranier (4 1/2hrs)
Spend some time at Mt Ranier
Overnight somewhere (possibly Ashland) or camp (although nearest campground is full.)

Day 12: Mount Ranier in the morning
Drive to Couer D’Alene (6-hrs)
Overnight Couer D’Alene (this is more out of convenience then we care about the city. We just want to stop in Idaho to break up the drive to Glacier.) Open to alternate suggestions.

Day 12: Drive to Glacier (6-hrs)
Spend a few hours at Glacier
Overnight WhiteFish (1-hr) *This is due to hotel points and everywhere closer being so expensive, but we are up in the air on that.

Day 13: Explore Glacier
River Float or Whitewater rafting (back and forth which one)
Overnight close to Glacier (only one place in park has availability and not sure it is worth the cost over Stanton Creek Cabins or Tamarack Lodge. For the same price as in the park we could also do glamming at Under Canvas Glacier for something unique.)

Day 14: Explore Glacier in the morning
Drive to Theodore Roosevelt National Park (9 1/2hrs)
Get in LATE- Overnight about 30 minutes out (unfortunately 30 minutes in the WRONG direction, but that is all I am finding.)

Day 15: Explore TRNP
Drive to Bismarck (2-hrs)
Overnight in Bismarck (simply to start the drive home and not too far as we will be tired. Just picked Bismarck as it is convenient.)

Day 16: LONG drive home (13-hrs)
Drive through Minnesota and Wisconsin

 

[bcla]

Maybe a few things to think about. The whole area around Sequoia and Kings Canyon includes the Giant Sequoia National Monument portion of Sequoia National Forest. There's actually a lot of camping there. The biggest campground in the area is Princess. I think Stony Creek has an excellent location. Also - maybe think of getting a cabin at Grant Grove. Availability may not be very good though.

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232785?tab=campsites
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232782?tab=campsites

Crystal Cave at least has a better reservation system now. When we went, they only sold tickets at visitor centers and not at the cave entrance.

https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/251898

You're going to need reservations for Alcatraz during the summer.

And yes Forks and Port Angeles are pretty boring, but so what. It's a place to stay.

An alternative to Museum of Flight would be the Boeing Future of Flight. It's a bit further north, but I'm told it's pretty good and includes a tour of the Boeing Everett Facility.

 

[chickapin parterre]

brookings to Multnomah Falls 6 hours...that is not going to happen. I would find camping along the river that flows between California and Grants Pass...but harris beach looks great just saw the phtos....good overall view of what oregon looks like on the coast. . so I would trade that off for Multnohah Falls..maybe I am jaded, but it is just a water fall with some geological records. To be rested, you will want to travel to Grants pass 2-3 hours out of brookings. Grants pass to salem on a summer day...4 hours.....if south of portland before 2. try the Champeog park south of the river and wilsonville. DO NOT ENTER PORTLAND AFTER 3:00....summers are the worse!!!! and by portland I mean Wisonville and anything north. You can rest. pack up at 5:00 AM and jump on the freeway way ahead of the crush (about summer time 6:30 is when morning crush begins.)

Your drive out of brookings is not going to be easy. Once on I-5 you will be dealing with semi-trucks, in the left lane, trying to pass another semi truck. all moving very slow, up and down up and down the very steep grades. ( it just occured to me...Illinois ...have you ever drove on Mountain roads with deep cliffs and valleys below) and that problem does not clear till Roseburg. from roseburg to Goshen traffic will be great and that would be a good time to have a driver with a heavy foot. Once at goshen you will encounter a 80 mile two lane freeway north that will be heavy with traffic and require much patience. Once cresting into salem 3 lanes on freeway but metro area also increases. As you go up the crest into salem....wave to the right at our Disneyland.

 

[chickapin parterre]

redwoods.....August 2019 took us 6 hours from crescent city south to Willets ..several construction projects with pilot cars...with no stopping to see the trees, had a 20 min break in eureka for breakfast. and don't get excited when the two lanes turn into four lanes...they don't last long

 

[GusGus77]

brookings to Multnomah Falls 6 hours...that is not going to happen. I would find camping along the river that flows between California and Grants Pass...but harris beach looks great just saw the phtos....good overall view of what oregon looks like on the coast. . so I would trade that off for Multnohah Falls..maybe I am jaded, but it is just a water fall with some geological records. To be rested, you will want to travel to Grants pass 2-3 hours out of brookings. Grants pass to salem on a summer day...4 hours.....if south of portland before 2. try the Champeog park south of the river and wilsonville. DO NOT ENTER PORTLAND AFTER 3:00....summers are the worse!!!! and by portland I mean Wisonville and anything north. You can rest. pack up at 5:00 AM and jump on the freeway way ahead of the crush (about summer time 6:30 is when morning crush begins.)

Your drive out of brookings is not going to be easy. Once on I-5 you will be dealing with semi-trucks, in the left lane, trying to pass another semi truck. all moving very slow, up and down up and down the very steep grades. ( it just occured to me...Illinois ...have you ever drove on Mountain roads with deep cliffs and valleys below) and that problem does not clear till Roseburg. from roseburg to Goshen traffic will be great and that would be a good time to have a driver with a heavy foot. Once at goshen you will encounter a 80 mile two lane freeway north that will be heavy with traffic and require much patience. Once cresting into salem 3 lanes on freeway but metro area also increases. As you go up the crest into salem....wave to the right at our Disneyland.

We have driven through the Smokies over a dozen times and through some pretty knuckle clenching passes in the Southwest, so we have driven mountains before. But no, not as familiar as if we lived in a mountainous area. Thank you for the traffic tips!

 

[bcla]

We have driven through the Smokies over a dozen times and through some pretty knuckle clenching passes in the Southwest, so we have driven mountains before. But no, not as familiar as if we lived in a mountainous area. Thank you for the traffic tips!

All along the West Coast there are tons of these roads carved into hillsides with sharp drop-offs. Can be really spectaular or really scary for someone with vertigo. Heck - Muir Woods Road in Marin County can be pretty scary since there's no railing and it's about 50-100 feet to the bottom of the hill.

If you're prepared to camp, I'm not sure Three Rivers is that great. There's camping in Sequoia National Park. Maybe Foothills if there's availability. But if you have any difficulty it's not that far to Visalia or Fresno. When I was camping in SEKI, I actually went to Visalia and Fresno for dinner. Getting back at night was a little bit scary since it was mountain roads and no lights.