Oregon and Washington: Trails, Camping and Sightseeing Ideas

I just finished reading thru the thread from ih8mud that you linked, sounds like a fun trip, not sure if it would work out for us timewise but I'm going to look into some of those routes more. We thought about throwing the snowboards in for the trip as someone else had previously suggested Mt Bachelor to me but I think the boards will be staying at home unfortunately. We'll have no problem keeping busy and entertained along this trip I'm sure.

 

We're hoping to spend a couple of days in Eastern Washington as I was encouraged (by a friend who traveled that area on motorbike) to check out the areas around Yakima Valley and Wenatchee. I've also heard that Leavenworth is a cool little Bavarian town worth stopping in to.

 

we tend to stay away from crackima.. haha but the drive between leavenworth and wenatchee is only about 25 minutes.. I live in a town right between the two. If you end up coming through, I can show you a few cool camping spots!

 

That's my parking spot haha. Maybe I'll be able to join you guys

 

I recommend taking Highway 97 from Canada to Bend. I5 is boring, lots more to see and do along 97.

 

Check your PM's, OP.

 

Thanks for all the input and ideas! I'm going to have to sit down with the fiancee in the next night or two and have a look at some of our route options and possible destinations. Starting to feel like we're going to need more time for this trip with everything we'd like to do along the way.

 

Subbed!

 

OP find any gems? I am driving up the california/oregon/washington coast in august. Ultimately taking the ferry from port angeles to victoria. I have about 8 days to make it from San Diego to BC. The first day I am just high tailing it to Northern California. Hoping to hug the coast as much as I can and fly fish/surf when possible. Anyone want to swap some PM's with gps coordinates?

 

Looks like the top of Chumstick Mountain

 

I have spent quality time in that area camping and exploring. Most of it has been up the Chumstick and Eagle Creak, on over into the Entiat. The area is unbelievable, some of the best camping around. Looking forward to getting back over there with the Tacoma. In the past it's always been with an F-250.

 

I have spent a little bit of time south of Forks, WA. Found some ok camping spots, but it was over 10 years ago and don't really remember where they were. I have stayed at a couple of stat run campgrounds when I was just bombing through. I wouldn't call them scenic by any stretch of the imagination, but the Hoh ox bow and Cottonwood campground make good areas to crash if your just looking to camp and heading out in the morning. There are others in the area, but those are the two I have stayed at. I would use the Hoh ox bow as a last resort, just because it's right next to Hwy 101 and can be a little noisy. Had a low boy lose an off road forklift when is was there last time. I was in a spot next to 101, this thing came off the trailer around 5 in the morning as scared the sh@# out of me. After that there was no getting back to sleep. There is also a state run campground at Pacific Beach, WA. It may be a little out of your way though. I haven't camp there but I've been by it a number of times and it's right on the beach. Again I haven't camped there, but the Kalaloch camp grounds are nice, but I have herd they can be busy in the summer. Wish I could remember where those spots on the FS roads were. I have since learned the value of marking things on my maps. This got a little long winded, but hopefully it helps.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a few spots picked out as possibilities so far and will be meeting up with a friend from Sequim who knows some fs road spots. I'll send along some gps coords for any good ones I end up finding.

Middle of nowhere forest road spots with views are usually my ideal choice. That or anything along decent fishing without hordes of people.

Cheers

 

You can't miss the Crater lake.