PNW Roadtrip Advice

Hey Guys,

First week of August, we are loading up and hitting the road with our pups.

Home > Ashland, OR > Astoria, OR > Port Townsend, WA > Whidbey Island, WA > Hood River, OR > Bend, OR > Home.

Any must see spots, OHV/Dirt roads to explore, drive-on beaches, must eat/drink etc. along this route? We lived in Bend, so familiar with that, but otherwise first time to the other areas.

Any advice or reccomendations would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Following this thread as I'm doing a trip up to OR / WA next month. Have a great trip!

 

Right on! Will definitely post trip report as well.

 

I'm curious to hear about some advice on this thread too. If I may add a question: What do you guys do when you have to park your rig somewhere public overnight? Say for whatever reason you have to make a pitstop at a hotel during the road trip and stay overnight? What measures do you take to make sure no one breaks in and steals all the stuff in your rig?

 

I installed a lock onto my tailgate, take everything off of my swing out, cover the windows that aren't tinted and don't leave anything in the truck I would be heartbroken to have stolen.

 

I remove all guns and electronics; everything else I keep in locked pelican cases with steel cables secured to the floor. Both to prevent theft and keep shit from flying around the truck while wheeling.

 

North Cascades National Park is stunning. I'd highly recommend hitting there.

I also had a great experience camping at Cape Disappointment State Park in WA.

I end up bringing all my gear into the room with me. It's an extra 10 minutes to unload but worth the peace of mind.

 

Take a detour out to the Olympic Peninsula. I think it's some of the most beautiful coastline anywhere. I've never been out there with a 4x4 so not sure if there's wheeling to be done, but if you can spare a half a day for a hike you won't regret it. Anywhere from the mouth of the Hoh River (Oil City TH) to Shi Shi beach up North is incredible. Third Beach is a very chill day hike, or out to Strawberry Point or Toleak Point if you've got more time would be totally worth it.

 

Cape disappointment is a great spot except for the fighter jets flying over constantly. We were glad to be in a trailer when we stayed there. Great base to explore from though.

 

so, were you disappointed by the fighter jets?

 

HA, I see what you did there...

It was cool at first. but became more disappointing in the evenings.

Great spot as a base to go take a ferry to the islands, but a word of warning, I got a ticket going just slightly over the speed limit - California plates - on the way to the ferry. Drive SLOW.

We did an orca watching trip - well worth it, tracked a pod with a baby for an hour.

 

Is the plan to rally up 5 to Ashland? Coast is slow but I think the views are worth it.

 

Yeh! Rally up the 5, but then cross up/over from Ashland to Astoria.

 

From Whidbey get ok highway 20 and do the cascade loop. It will take you thru the North Cascades National Park which is a gorgeous drive and then back over the cascades on highway 2 which takes you Thru a Bavarian themed town called Leavenworth.

 

Speak of underrated, that's what North Cascades National Park is. I've been there multiple times, and it might well be my favorite mountain range in the USA. I don't know what are some good off-roading options there, but I'm all ears if someone has advice, since I plan on going there again this year (it's become a yearly thing now).

If you're looking to hike, there are many trailheads that are much better accessed in your Taco than in other grocery getters, like the Hidden Lake Trailhead. I drove my grocery getter to this and it was not fun, although it survived. Same with Cascade River Road. At the end of that road is one of my all-time favorite hikes, Sahale Arm.

 

Looks like you'll also be passing through Tillamook -- if you want something touristy check out the cheese factory

I vaguely remember someone driving onto the beach in Florence, OR or such -- not sure if it's still legal or whether I got the beach right. I'm calling on a 5-year old memory here.

 

How about placing a motion sensor in the cab and bed. The alerting device will be in the hotel room. Cheaper than 2 way alarms.

$43 Driveway Alarm- 1/2 Mile Long Range Wireless Driveway Alarm Outdoor Weather Resistant Motion Sensor&Detector-DIY Security Alert-Monitor&Protect Outdoor/Indoor Property - 1 Receiver and 2 Sensors

https://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Wireless-Resistant-Detector-DIY-Alert-Monitor/dp/B08NYH9JL4/

Could also grab a bunch of cheap ikea storage bags to throw everything in for easy transport to and from hotel room.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/frakta-storage-bag-for-cart-blue-90149148/

 

Washington is one of the worst states for property crimes, especially since we banned the police from pursuing thieves in 2021. The concern for the things you leave in your truck while staying at a hotel are valid.

I would say check in with the police where you want to stay the night and ask them what hotels they suggest and don’t suggest.

 

In Hood River you have to stop at the Full Sail Brewery. The outdoor seating is the place to be as you can watch all the people wind surfing along the river. On a windy day you can see some big air.