pompano
Up North and Down South
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
We are currently in Billings, Mt and heading west to join some folks for salmon fishing at Reedsport, Oregon. But that's not until September 20th, so we've got lots of time.
I know the easiest route is I-90 but we've been on that so many times and would like to see some new sights and better scenery. We are driving a 34' Class A and not towing anything. I really like the Oregon Coast and would like to begin our southward journey from as far north on that coast as possible...maybe Astoria?
Any suggestions? Thanks, folks.
|
Rocky2
Ventura, Ca.
Senior Member
Joined: 01/14/2004
View Profile
|
If it were me, I would take US 12 at Missoula and just wander through Idaho and then along the Columbia River with a detour over to John Day. Once you got to Astoria, you can spend whatever time you have left wandering down to Winchester Bay. Enjoy your fishing.
|
mockturtle
Northwest
Senior Member
Joined: 05/31/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
I agree with Rocky. Oregon I-84 along the Columbia is not only a great freeway but is also scenic. Don't go through Portland, though.
Along I-84 in Idaho, you might enjoy Three Island Crossing State Park, on the Snake River, at Glenns Ferry. Also, just across the Oregon border, Farewell Bend SP is also nice. The road condition improves drastically when you enter Oregon.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
|
tiptoe tommy
Seattle
Senior Member
Joined: 06/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
By all means stop in Bozeman and spend the morning at the Museum of the Rockies. I agree US 12 is a good route. The drive through White Bird is a challenging grade, but take it slow and you will be okay. The drive along the Salmon River is amazing. Great camping at Ponderosa State Park in McCall, Idaho. Heading south we like to take Hwy 71 over to Oxbow Dam where there is a beautiful Idaho Power campground at the entrance to Hells Canyon. The end of the road into the canyon is only 17 miles away.
Then Hwy 86 up to Baker City, Oregon, a beautiful drive. In Baker City we like to visit the Oregon Trail Interprative Center and the many trails where you can see the ruts. The drive west on I-84 is beautiful as it passes the Blue Mountains. You will love the Columbia Gorge. From there you can either take US 30 out of Portland or miss Portland and have a great drive by heading north on I-205 and I-5 to Longview where you can take US 30 into Astoria. You may want to visit Mt. St. Helens on the way if you haven't already.
I have posted several posts on my favorites on the coast as have many others. It is well worth exploring it in detail since you have the time.
Family that loves to camp 30 days a year! Two kids, 13 and 9
1999 Coleman SeaPine PUP
GO COUGS!
|
pompano
Up North and Down South
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks very much for the route advice. We will be make the Hwy 12 turnoff at Missoula for sure and head it west. Explore a bit here and there towards the Columbia Gorge.
Actually I have been on Hwy 12 a few times in the past. A memorable trip on that scenic highway was about 15 years ago when a forest fire was underway. I came up to a forest service roadblock on my motorcycle and was the last one vehicle they let through before closing the road until the fire was contained. Was a smoky ride, but exciting!
We will explore the suggestions made here and look forward to seeing more of America. Then some salmon!
|
|
|
RVnRobin
West of the Mississippi
Senior Member
Joined: 11/05/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
If you have from now to mid Sept to make the trip, how about going north from Billings to Highway 2? Catch Glacier, Northern ID, at Newport WA get on Highway 20, Okanogan Valley, North Cascades pass, cross the Puget Sound on ferry from Whidbey Island into Port Townsend, catch 101 around the north side of the Olympic Peninsula, and just follow 101 down the coast.
That would be catching 101 "as far north on that coast as possible."
RVnRobin and DW.
Love my 94 Dodge 2500 almost as much as I love my DW.
|
Islandman
NW Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 02/18/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I agree with taking US 12 from Missoula westward toward Lewiston and then follow it over to Walla Walla and eventually join up with I-84 which you will take along the Columbia River most of the way to Portland area. Stop at the USFS CG's along the Lochsa River in ID, the section of US 12 from Lolo Pass to Lewiston is one of my favorites. Robin's suggestion above is also a very good choice, a little longer but some really neat places to see.
|
paulj
Seattle
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2007
View Profile
|
If you've already done US12, how about driving along the upper part of the Salmon, around the south side of the Idaho mountains? You could catch US93 south from Missoula, or pick it up at the state border (I don't recall the Montana highway that comes in there from the east). At Chalis continue west along the Salmon to Stanley. You could even stay in the mountains (mostly following rivers) to McCall and the cross into Oregon at Oxbow etc.
|
donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I would only stay on I84 long enough to get through Idaho. Once into Oregon take either 20 or 26 west. How 26 will carry you past John Day and the CaMWhaChange pharmacy, the fossil beds and some really nice scenery. Hwy20 takes you father south across the desert and directly into Bend. From there you can cross the Cascades into the Willamette valley and continue west to the coast. Both of these roads are fine for RV's and IMHO are far better choices than any freeway any day of the week.
Donn
|
paulj
Seattle
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2007
View Profile
|
If you want to avoid the freeway, and still see the Columbia Gorge, you could take 14 on the Washington side.
|
|
|
