Pacific Northwest tourist questions

[Silent1CB]

We aren't early risers and I'm trying to figure out how much time we need at each place. We like to take our time stopping many times along the way to take pictures & poke around.

Want to visit Mt Rainier (Paradise) and Mt St Helens (Observatory side).
Looking at a hotel in Chehalis area so I know its a little bit of a drive back and forth to each which we don't mind.

Should we devote one day to each or do people generally do both in one day? It would be a Sun & Mon in July.

Next stop, a hotel in Vancouver, WA area. Will probably need to get up earlier this day, but tell me if this is doable in 1 day.

Weekday. Have to make a quick stop in Estacada, OR area (just SE of Portland), then travel rt 26 to Mt Hood stopping at any Oregon Trail stuff there might be. Pics at Trillium Lake & Timberline Lodge. We also wanted to see Columbia River Gorge. Ending back at our Vancouver WA hotel.

Would it be best to continue to travel around Mt Hood or to double back on rt 26 & find our way to the river? (travel time, scenery & weekday traffic?) Which side & which road offers the best views of the gorge? WA or OR side?

We have many other stops on our trip, but so far these are the areas I need most help with. Thanks.

Finally booked our airfare & starting to show some excitement.

 

[honugirl]

We aren't early risers and I'm trying to figure out how much time we need at each place. We like to take our time stopping many times along the way to take pictures & poke around.

Want to visit Mt Rainier (Paradise) and Mt St Helens (Observatory side).
Looking at a hotel in Chehalis area so I know its a little bit of a drive back and forth to each which we don't mind.

Should we devote one day to each or do people generally do both in one day? It would be a Sun & Mon in July.

Next stop, a hotel in Vancouver, WA area. Will probably need to get up earlier this day, but tell me if this is doable in 1 day.

Weekday. Have to make a quick stop in Estacada, OR area (just SE of Portland), then travel rt 26 to Mt Hood stopping at any Oregon Trail stuff there might be. Pics at Trillium Lake & Timberline Lodge. We also wanted to see Columbia River Gorge. Ending back at our Vancouver WA hotel.

Would it be best to continue to travel around Mt Hood or to double back on rt 26 & find our way to the river? (travel time, scenery & weekday traffic?) Which side & which road offers the best views of the gorge? WA or OR side?

We have many other stops on our trip, but so far these are the areas I need most help with. Thanks.

Finally booked our airfare & starting to show some excitement.

Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens are in completely opposite directions and I think you'll be surprised about how far apart they really are. I would take 1 day per place.

The last time I went to Mt. Hood, it was no where near the gorge, relatively speaking. For us, it's usually a day trip up to Timberline lodge and back. We never do both the gorge and the mountain on the same day. Plus there will be things in the gorge you're going to want to stop at.

I believe the WA side has better views, but you might want to take a day and go up one side and down the other.
Vancouver to Chehalis is a fairly short drive, around 2 hours or so, maybe less.

Things out here are pretty darn far apart, which I think shocks people from other parts of the nation. For me to go from my house at one end of Washington state to my parents at the other, it's around a 5 hour drive. Vancouver, WA to Seattle is almost 3 hours. So things that look relatively close on a map, really aren't that close and some of the roads are 2 lane roads that you really can't fly down.

Have fun!

 

[flipturngirl]

My Writing is in RED!!

We aren't early risers and I'm trying to figure out how much time we need at each place. We like to take our time stopping many times along the way to take pictures & poke around.

Want to visit Mt Rainier (Paradise) and Mt St Helens (Observatory side).
Looking at a hotel in Chehalis area so I know its a little bit of a drive back and forth to each which we don't mind.

Should we devote one day to each or do people generally do both in one day? It would be a Sun & Mon in July. I am not 100% sure about this part of washington.

Next stop, a hotel in Vancouver, WA area. Will probably need to get up earlier this day, but tell me if this is doable in 1 day.

Weekday. Have to make a quick stop in Estacada, OR area (just SE of Portland), then travel rt 26 to Mt Hood stopping at any Oregon Trail stuff there might be. Pics at Trillium Lake & Timberline Lodge. We also wanted to see Columbia River Gorge. Ending back at our Vancouver WA hotel. So.. Traveling 26 to Trillium and Timberline is good. There is not much of Oregon Trail stuff I think. I know that in Sandy, OR there is a really good view spot of MT. Hood that is picture worthy.. I would take 26 up to Mt. Hood and explore and then there is an exit up there where it says to Hood River go this way... So you could do that. And get to Hood River Oregon where it is the Gorge.. You could get on I-84 or the Historic Highway.. but keep in mind that it is heavily and I mean heavily populated with tourist even on Sun and Mon.. pretty much any day in the summer. On the Historic Highway there are many waterfalls, trails and scenic byways.. also if you are a Twilight Saga fan a lot of the scenes from the movie were taped here.
If you want to see views from both the Oregon and Washington side then.. I would do a trip to Mt. Hood one day and then the next you could go from Vancouver down 14 and see the washington side of the river and see many stunning views.. but not a lot of pull offs if I remember. You could go across the Bridge of the Gods (it is a toll bridge) and go into Cascade Locks and head west or east on i-84

Would it be best to continue to travel around Mt Hood or to double back on rt 26 & find our way to the river? (travel time, scenery & weekday traffic?) Which side & which road offers the best views of the gorge? WA or OR side?

We have many other stops on our trip, but so far these are the areas I need most help with. Thanks.

Finally booked our airfare & starting to show some excitement.

Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens are in completely opposite directions and I think you'll be surprised about how far apart they really are. I would take 1 day per place.

The last time I went to Mt. Hood, it was no where near the gorge, relatively speaking. For us, it's usually a day trip up to Timberline lodge and back. We never do both the gorge and the mountain on the same day. Plus there will be things in the gorge you're going to want to stop at.

I believe the WA side has better views, but you might want to take a day and go up one side and down the other.
Vancouver to Chehalis is a fairly short drive, around 2 hours or so, maybe less.

Things out here are pretty darn far apart, which I think shocks people from other parts of the nation. For me to go from my house at one end of Washington state to my parents at the other, it's around a 5 hour drive. Vancouver, WA to Seattle is almost 3 hours. So things that look relatively close on a map, really aren't that close and some of the roads are 2 lane roads that you really can't fly down.

From Portland to Seattle it is under 3 hours for us. Up I-5

Have fun!

If youu have any questions PM me and I can help!! HAVE FUN!

 

[Silent1CB]

Initially I was surprised at distance between places, but I've gotten over it. Yeah, its sure not like New England.

Thanks, I'll take another look at the Mt Hood / Gorge portion.

 

[flipturngirl]

I hope you have fun! I do not know why but I would drive some of these places daily.. and it is so pretty. I would really like to visit New England.. it sounds really historic and nice

 

[bumbershoot]

I would not stay in *one* hotel. I would move hotels. I live in Tacoma, and it can take an hour just to get to the entrance of Rainier, and, hm, 30 minutes to get up to the Paradise visitor's center and walking trails.

I know that being in Chehalis you're closer to hwy 12, which is I think how many get out there, so you don't have the initial time we have to get from Tacoma to the road out there, though.

I haven't been to St Helens in at least 15 years, so I have no info on that!

The speed limit moves around from 60 to 70 in various places...the 70 makes it possible to go faster (obviously), but you need to watch out for when it changes back down!

OH and FYI, the last time we went to Rainier it was July, and it was absolutely broiling. Bring tons of water, good sunscreen, hats, the whole works. (and now I've guaranteed that it will be raining on you). And just to make sure, even though you probably know and it's silly to say..but when you're actually right there , it doesn't look like you're at Rainier at all. Paradise especially, it's a big alpine meadow, with more mountain way up there, and it's like you've landed somewhere else.

Just putting it out there...there's a small "chain" of B&Bs called McMenamins. There's one in Centralia (Olympic Club) and a few in downtown Portland, and one out in Troutdale which you might be passing along for your Columbia River Gorge portion...might be working checking out (mcmenamins.com) and checking on the map, to see if maybe those places would be fun, rather than just a Days Inn or something like that. And if you love good beer, then it's definitely something to think about!

 

[RadioNate]

I just sorta did this trip twice in the last 18 months. My inlaws live in Portland and my DH's extended family lives outside of Seattle. It is far more driving than you think.


To and from Rainier is a day trip and to and from St Helens is a day trip. You might also consider making those days a bit flexible. The day we went to Mt Saint Helens you couldn't actually see the mountain The visitors center at St Helens is about 15 minutes off I5 but it is close to an hour from there to the observatory. I'd actually do St Helens on the day you transfer from Chehalis to Portland (Vancouver.)

I would do Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood/Timberline on 2 different days if you can. Some of this stuff is worth hanging out at a bit. The Columbia River Highway on the Oregon side is really pretty and there is a lot to stop and see. http://www.columbiariverhighway.com/

If you do it in 1 day, I'd suggest this route including the "Historic Columbia River Highway"
http://www.columbiariverhighway.com/Mt_Hood_Loop.pdf

Do you have hotels picked.

The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver is lovely. It is across the way from my old office building.
http://www.heathmanlodge.com/

I got nothing for hotel in Chehalis but I do know the Director of the Chehalis-Centrallia Chamber of Commerce if you want me to ask.

 

[RadioNate]

Just putting it out there...there's a small "chain" of B&Bs called McMenamins. There's one in Centralia (Olympic Club) and a few in downtown Portland, and one out in Troutdale which you might be passing along for your Columbia River Gorge portion...might be working checking out (mcmenamins.com) and checking on the map, to see if maybe those places would be fun, rather than just a Days Inn or something like that. And if you love good beer, then it's definitely something to think about!

Ohhh McMenamins.....how could I have not mentioned that???? Excellent idea. If there is one in Centralia, I'd go there.

The one in Troutdale is Edgefield and is one of my favorite places in the world. In fact we had lunch there during our Columbia River Gorge trip in December (which was miserably cold!)

 

[goofy's friends]

Used to live close to Mt. Rainier. You need one day to do that. There are visitor centers, hiking trails, and other things you'll want to explore. I would stay in the area that day. Then, Mt. St. Helen's is closer to Vancouver than Mt. Rainier. So, that day you could do your travelling and exploring Mt. St. Helen's ---there isn't as much to see there. Vancouver is just a hop, skip, jump to Portland, which is a fun city. The gorge is beautiful and may need a day of exploring as well. I'm not familiar with Mt. Hood area, so can't really speak to that, but I think you're trying to squeeze Washington into too little time. Enjoy!

 

[Lassie Lynne]

OH and FYI, the last time we went to Rainier it was July, and it was absolutely broiling. Bring tons of water, good sunscreen, hats, the whole works. (and now I've guaranteed that it will be raining on you).

You have been given great advice, I just wanted to add that I agree, it could be very hot.....and it could be cold too....so always check for the mountain conditions before you go that day.

I have been over the mountain passes on 4th of July and still seen snow on the ground.

 

[Silent1CB]

Yes, Mt St Helens is planned for the day we move from Chehalis to Vancouver. So at least I got that right.

I do know that its a good 1 hr+ drive or so into Rainier, and we are ok with that.

We have 2 wks planned touring parts of BC Canada through WA down to Portland OR area. Not a straight shot down 5 either. Everything from Cascades out to the coastline.

Unfortunatley, I'm at the end & only have 1 day left for Mt Hood & Columbia Gorge, so its either going to have to work or we'll have to drop something.

LOTS of hotel changes along the way. And LOTS of driving each day. Not the first time we've done a trip of this type.

I'll check out the website links. Thanks.

 

[Silent1CB]

When you guys say hot & boiling, what temps are you talking about? Its all relative you know. I know last summer WA had some pretty insane temps! And do you get summer humidity with the heat? Your summers are your drier months.

I'm used to being on the water & on rocky mountains, so I know how the sun bounces off both of those. Those hats & sunscreen is our backpacks. And backpacks hold lots of water.

Going to answer my own question about your humidity.
http://www.komonews.com/weather/faq/4308492.html
Its not like East Coast muggy....so that's good. I can take heat.... humidity not so much.

 

[phragmipedium]

It can easily be in the 100s in the summer in most parts of Oregon, but it's not generally so muggy as it is on the east coast. It can get really hot, but the relative humidity that dampens your clothes is generally not very high when it's that hot. (Visiting Florida in August for the first time was unlike anything I'd ever experienced in the PNW.) Plus if you're on the scenic highway up near the waterfalls, it would still be hot but it's more shaded and would still be pleasant even if it were really warm. The coast usually stays more mild (70s/80s) and is really nice that time of year also, but it can always rain. Pretty much the given for the Pacific Northwest is to be prepared for any kind of weather - rain or shine - on a moment's notice. Odds are you'll want shorts and tees that time of year, but just bring along a jacket, umbrella, and keep long pants/sneakers handy just in case.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

It looks like a lot what you need has already been covered but I'm curious, why Vancouver? And why Vancouver over Portland? Not that Vancouver is horrible or anything but if I was a tourist I would want to go for Portland over Vancouver.

 

[Silent1CB]

It looks like a lot what you need has already been covered but I'm curious, why Vancouver? And why Vancouver over Portland? Not that Vancouver is horrible or anything but if I was a tourist I would want to go for Portland over Vancouver.

It was just a hotel choice. Brand new hotel in the hotel chain we usually stay at, and really good rate because its new. Actually its just next door to the Heathman Lodge that RadioNate suggested.

When you are doing a 15 day trip & flying cross country, you have to cut money some place. So brand new nice hotel at low price, and still near Portland got our vote. And we earn reward points too.

Put I can see if we are near hotel at dinner time, we might pop over to the restaurant at Heathman Lodge.

Going to Portland too....just not sleeping there.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ohhh McMenamins.....how could I have not mentioned that???? Excellent idea. If there is one in Centralia, I'd go there.

The one in Troutdale is Edgefield and is one of my favorite places in the world. In fact we had lunch there during our Columbia River Gorge trip in December (which was miserably cold!)

Can't believe you forgot. The one in Centralia is little and cute, and they let kids play pool during certain hours which was so fun. Love Edgefield; had our wedding scheduled there, then changed things up, and got married out in Lacrosse_Lady's area of Hillsboro, at the McMenamins property there (Cornelius Pass Roadhouse).

And, unless things fall through yet again, they will be creating a B&B and pub not even a block away from me here in Tacoma, in a few years!




The July day at Rainier when it was hot...I'm not sure if it was dry or humid, but it was just *searing*. It didn't feel like Miami OR Phoenix to me. And just two years before during August, it was 100 degrees at our outdoor Oregon wedding, with me in full poofy silk gown and corset and everything... Again, no idea what sort of heat it was...felt like I was in an oven, though!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

It was just a hotel choice. Brand new hotel in the hotel chain we usually stay at, and really good rate because its new. Actually its just next door to the Heathman Lodge that RadioNate suggested.

When you are doing a 15 day trip & flying cross country, you have to cut money some place. So brand new nice hotel at low price, and still near Portland got our vote. And we earn reward points too.

Put I can see if we are near hotel at dinner time, we might pop over to the restaurant at Heathman Lodge.

Going to Portland too....just not sleeping there.

OK, that makes more sense.

Next stop, a hotel in Vancouver, WA area. Will probably need to get up earlier this day, but tell me if this is doable in 1 day.

That made me think you were going to spend the day in JUST Vancouver.

I like the restaurant on the Columbia called Who Song and Larry's. It's a wonderful place to eat at, especially on a sunny day. It's near the I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver and it sits right on the water front.

I would definitely not leave 1 day for just Mt. Hood AND the Gorge. They are at least 1 day each and some of the gorgeous areas of the NW so they are definitely not something to be missed.

Mt. Hood and Timberline/Government Camp is an area we frequent all summer long. It's a ski area that is in full force throughout the summer as well.

At the gorge what isn't there to do? If you are hikers then it's really worth a hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls which can take a while. I would definitely say the Oregon side of the drive down the Oregon-Washington border is much more scenic. And that's not my Oregon bias here, I've been down both and it's just prettier on the Oregon side.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Can't believe you forgot. The one in Centralia is little and cute, and they let kids play pool during certain hours which was so fun. Love Edgefield; had our wedding scheduled there, then changed things up, and got married out in Lacrosse_Lady's area of Hillsboro, at the McMenamins property there (Cornelius Pass Roadhouse).

And, unless things fall through yet again, they will be creating a B&B and pub not even a block away from me here in Tacoma, in a few years!




The July day at Rainier when it was hot...I'm not sure if it was dry or humid, but it was just *searing*. It didn't feel like Miami OR Phoenix to me. And just two years before during August, it was 100 degrees at our outdoor Oregon wedding, with me in full poofy silk gown and corset and everything... Again, no idea what sort of heat it was...felt like I was in an oven, though!

Haha, I just ate there for lunch today!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

We're having an unusually "hot" winter so I wouldn't put it past mother nature to make it an unusual summer as well.

 

[shortbun]

Don't forget your passports! Also, the time change will assist your getting up early for at least the first few days.