Trip planning stage

[Paul Carver]

I am starting to make plans to cover the last 4 states that the Valk and I have not been to yet ... Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. I would like some ideas from you folks on scenic areas within those states that cannot be missed. I plan on a 3 week trip to allow for some "rambling" to make sure I don't miss anything. Favorite routes and must-see areas is what I am looking for. Would appreciate your help.  Thanks!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

When are you going? I ask because I would suggest crossing Colorado-Utah on I70 and Nevada on HWY50. "The loneliest highway in America". I found that road (50) good and pretty for a desert state. Then thru Reno and over Donner Pass, stay East of the Sierra's and cross the Sieraa's at Yosemite thru the East portal. Trouble is the East portal doesn't clear of snow until June something..

Raymond

[Oss]

+1 what he said  The ride up into yosemite is spectacular from the east  I think I took  89 south and east thru some great winding climbing fun roads from Tahoe to 395 which goes south to 120 the access road to Yosemite

Only thing I would add is the ride back out of Yosemite on that road (120) is a flat out white knuckler as there are not many guard rails the drop offs are several thousands of feet, bigger by many times than anything in the smokies and the scenery going down is amazing  I like that access road better than yosemite itself for thrills it is the longest downhill I have ever been on at those high speeds.

here is a current satelite view just click on aerial viewhttp://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Lake+Tahoe+Nevada+S.p.&state=NV&country=US&latitude=39.190281&longitude=-119.875656&geocode=CITY

[Disco]

Pacific Coast Highway from Cambria/San Simeon (Hearst Castle) north to Monterrey through Big Sur and Carmel is very high on my to-do list.  I've been up and down it several times in a cage, but not on a bike.  There are long stretches of the southbound lane that do not have any guardrail.

I-5 north from Seattle to Vancouver is a nice route.  Lake Samish between Burlington, WA and Bellingham, WA is a postcard.  If I get that far NW again, I will stop at nothing to take Highway 1 north out of Vancouver to Highway 99 / Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, BC.  It's my favorite road (so far) in North America.  Spectacular.

[wd40]

Stop at Great Basin Natl Park at the east edge of NV, just off 50.  Hwy 50 is the only way to cross NV (I-80 is boring) - all the way to South Lake Tahoe, then as mentioned to the east entrance of Yosemite.  After Yosemite, take hwy 49 to Grass Valley, the old Mother Lode route.  Jump on 20, to 101.  Of course this will by-pass San Francisco, if interested.  Near Willits, head over to the coast highway 1, near Ft Bragg.  Hwy 1 will eventually re-join 101.  Follow 101 into Oregon.  If you have time, at either Florence or Newport head east, over the southern Cascades to Bend.  Maybe 126 out of Florence, to 242 to pass just north of the Sisters (volcanic peaks).  Take 97 Noth to 26 to the south edge of Mt Hood.  Take 36 N into Hood River, then I-84 west thru the Columbia River gorge into Portland.  You can cross the river at Hood River, and hwy 14 in Washington on the north side.  There's a couple of nice waterfalls along I-84, don't know whats on the north side.
A person could head east out of Crescent City CA or Gold Beach OR off Hwy 101 and go to Crater Lake.  The Oregon coast on 101 is pretty freakin nice though!
The Washington part is left for those who know!  Enjoy!

[sheets]

Ditto . . .

- all the way to South Lake Tahoe, then as mentioned to the east entrance of Yosemite.  After Yosemite, take hwy 49 to Grass Valley, the old Mother Lode route.  Jump on 20, to 101.  Of course this will by-pass San Francisco, if interested.  Near Willits, head over to the coast highway 1, near Ft Bragg.  Hwy 1 will eventually re-join 101.  Follow 101 into Oregon.  If you have time, at either Florence or Newport head east, over the southern Cascades to Bend.  Maybe 126 out of Florence, to 242 to pass just north of the Sisters (volcanic peaks).  Take 97 Noth to 26 to the south edge of Mt Hood.  Take 36 N into Hood River, then I-84 west thru the Columbia River gorge into Portland.  You can cross the river at Hood River, and hwy 14 in Washington on the north side.  There's a couple of nice waterfalls along I-84, don't know whats on the north side.
A person could head east out of Crescent City CA or Gold Beach OR off Hwy 101 and go to Crater Lake.  The Oregon coast on 101 is pretty freakin nice though!
The Washington part is left for those who know!  Enjoy!

Rather than Hwy 20 at Willits to the coast, I'd suggest Hwy 253 from Ukiah, a 20 mile twisty connection to Hwy 128 (Boonville) . . . to the coast.  Hwys 253 & 128 are much more scenic and adds a few more miles of coast line to migrate north on.  Junction of Hwy 001 & 101 @ Leggett. There is a tourist stop in Leggett; The Drive Thru Tree (a carved out Redwood tree on what was the original hwy many years ago).  Might want to take that in for the photo op.  North on 101 from Leggett, take the old highway called the Avenue of the Giants (254).  North of Eureka on 101 take the old highway through the State/National Park at the hamlet of Orick.  Continue north from there to reach Crescent City and beyond.  Crater Lake is a great place to check out.  (If transiting north to south reverse the order).  sheets (my neck of the woods)

[Al in AK]

I am starting to make plans to cover the last 4 states that the Valk and I have not been to yet ... Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. I would like some ideas from you folks on scenic areas within those states that cannot be missed. I plan on a 3 week trip to allow for some "rambling" to make sure I don't miss anything. Favorite routes and must-see areas is what I am looking for. Would appreciate your help.  Thanks!

If I am not mistaken, it's 5 states................

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Or 6.      but who's counting?

[Al in AK]

Or 6.       but who's counting?

I was giving him that one.............................

Of course, Alaska might as well be an Island.................

[Black Pearl's Captain]

HAHA, Ok Al. I agree, number 50 is an exception that any bike counts for in my opinion. Hard to ride a Valk to there. I was surprised at how few bikes are there but there really isn't very far to ride anyway. Perhaps that's why no big road bikes around.


I gotta ride my bike up your way sometime soon. I've been there twice but the ride in the jet doesn't take long (or count).

Raymond

[Michael K (Az.)]

Everybodys routes are great. The major problem is the,"too many sites, not enough time", syndrome! I Loved cruisin thru eastern Oregon but you just can't pass up the coastline in that state! I lived there, Or., and Wa. for about 14 years and traveled throughout constantly.
If you can squeeze in the Olympic peninsula in Wa.too, it'll blow your mind.

[LandElephant]

If you come up through Washington I would suggest heading north out of Seattle and pick up Highway 20 and take that east to Highway 2 and travel across the top of the state.  If you have time schedule a visit to Grand Coullee Dam.  During the summer they have a great light show off the dam face.

Once you cross into Idaho head south through Cor D'lene (pardon the spelling).  Head to the east side of the lake and that road I believe is Hwy 93 to St. Marie (That is pronounced Mary) then connect to hwy 195 south to Lewiston ID.  From there you can continue south as alternate cross back into lewiston Washington and head south on HWY 129 to Rattlesnake Canyon.  A great dragon style road that drops down to the Grand Ronde (pronounced Ron) and back out through Oregon 3 to Joseph Or.  From there find NF 39 (National Forest 39) through Hells Canyon Wilderness.  63 miles of trwisting roads.  Road is okay but keep in mind it is a NF road.  When you get to the end you can head north back up the Snake River or south to Baker City.  If you head north follow the road for about 10 miles and cross ther Snake River and then head south.  You will twist your way along the Snake River.  Then head northeast to McCall ID.  From there head south to Boise and head home.

I know there is also Hwy 12 through LOLO Pass to Missoula that is almost 200 miles of beautiful riding.  You can take that out of Lweiston ID and it also would be a great road.

If you want more information about Central Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Western Montana feel free to email me at cmorse40@gmail.com.  I just completed a project in Central Washington for 2 1/2 years and I probably logged over 20,000 miles in this playground.  You won't regret the trip.


Charlie

Land Elephant

[fudgie]

I am starting to make plans to cover the last 4 states that the Valk and I have not been to yet ... Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. I would like some ideas from you folks on scenic areas within those states that cannot be missed. I plan on a 3 week trip to allow for some "rambling" to make sure I don't miss anything. Favorite routes and must-see areas is what I am looking for. Would appreciate your help.  Thanks!

If I am not mistaken, it's 5 states................

Al what kinda trunk is that? I was gonna ask the other day but forgot. 

[Al in AK]

fudgie,
I got that from a guy that has a motorcycle shop. He had it out back in a shed. I had the rails re-cromed and the tour pak painted. Installed a Harley back rest on it.
 I contacted " Vetter " and he told me ( phone call ) it was not one of his.
So, to answer your question, I do not know who produced it. I gave up trying to find out.

Al in Ak

Before I added the fairing.




Sorry to high jack your thread Paul..........

[Paul Carver]

Thanks, everyone. That should get me started. For those thinking that I have 5 states left, you are right. I should have put the word "contigious" in the message so I wouldn't get nailed by you guys. I am not too interested in going to Alaska for some reason. I think it is because of the wear on the bike mostly. Thanks again!

[Gator]

Paul, sent you a PM with some ideas from a previous trip through CA, OR & WA.

Wally