Trip to the great Northwest

[Romeo]

Anyone out in Washington and/ or Oregon. We are making a trip out to see family in the Tacoma area, and plalnning a ride while out there. Leaving from Issaquah, heading south past Ranier and St. Helens and on to the Columbia River Gorge. from there south to Crater Lake and then out to the coast and back up. Any "must see", "must do" ideas? Also was wondering about the best routes from the gorge down to Crater lake, and out to the Coast. We plan on riding 5 days. Also favorite eating and lodging spots.

[olddog1946]

If you get any chance to ride Highway 2 across the northern part of the state do it. Fantastic scenery, good roads. If you can stay off of I-5, traffic around Tacoma and Seattle sucks, sucks and sucks, not to mention the roads have ruts 3 inches deep. (maybe not but feels like it if your a darksider)..
Any roads west of the columbia are good riding. In central Wa. there are some good roads but you'll probably need to call a local to find em...so give me a holler, lol.

[Razkal]

Romeo - You can ride the scenic part of the gorge in 1/2 of a day. Good roads north to south in Oregon are virtually nonexistent; there is 101 on the coast, I-5 down the valley, or 97 down the middle of the state, and 395 on the eastern side. East to west roads, there are a lot of good choices.
So my thought would be to ride up the south side of the gorge from Portland east on I-84 the Corbet exit following the old scenic highway east to Crown Point viewing area.  Continue east on the scenic hwy where there will be a bunch of waterfalls. Continue east on old scenic hwy, it will return you to I-84, continue east on I-84, exit at Mosier, continue east on the old hwy (It parallels I-84) up to Rowena Crest to the viewing area there. Continue east on old hwy where you can rejoin I-84 or you can stay on it all the way to The Dalles. Now you can cross over to the north side of the river or go less than another 20 miles east on I-84 to Biggs Junction and cross over the river there to the north side and ride back to Portland. If you do this, you will be able to go to Maryhill museum and Stonehenge and a really sweet winery. Then head west on Hwy 14 back to Portland. Then from Portland, take Hwy 30 west to Hwy 101 south all the way to Coos Bay taking Hwy 42 east to Roseburg, then Hwy 138 up to Crater Lake. OR instead of Hwy 42 at Coos Bay, stay on Hwy 101 to Crescent City then east on Hwy 199 to Grants Pass. Then take I-5 to Gold Hill, Hwy 234 to Hwy 262 and then up to Crater Lake. Hwy 199 is a longer route but it does follow the Smith River. Then from Crater Lake you have several options to head back east towards Michigan.
If you have questions just shoot me an email and I will give you my number so we can talk. Hope this helps.
Razkal & Lady H

[Romeo]

Great info Razkal. It looks like we are in for a great ride.

[Thespian]

 All depends on the weather, right Gordo? Post again two or three days in advance of the ride. Weather dictates the route. 

[salty1]

Olddog did you mean highway 20 in WA. It's a scenic byway.  Romeo if you can take a little time, do the Selkirk Loop, it's wonderful. I've hit all the spots you've mentioned and there worth seeing. On your way to Crater Lake see if you can work in Mt Hood. Have a safe trip.   

http://selkirkloop.org/index.php/maps

[olddog1946]

Olddog did you mean highway 20 in WA. It's a scenic byway.  Romeo if you can take a little time, do the Selkirk Loop, it's wonderful. I've hit all the spots you've mentioned and there worth seeing. On your way to Crater Lake see if you can work in Mt Hood. Have a safe trip.   

http://selkirkloop.org/index.php/maps

I was referring to highway 2, runs from Everette all the way across the north central section of the state to Spokane then north to Newport.  Highway 20 is also a good one.