Northwestern States Weather in August

[Red Diamond]

Has anyone done extensive traveling in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, ND and SD in early August? How's the weather, is it starting to get cool or cold in the mountains?

[John Lane]

Up here in Washington state it is beautiful in the Puget Sound area and out to the coast in August. The eastern half of Wa is desert and hot that time of year. We are currently having REALLY bad forest fires on the east slopes of the Cascades near Okanagan and Winthrop. Lots of homes and whole towns evacuated and our North Cascades highway and highway #2 are closed so the scenic cascade loop is impossible. However the southern Cascades around Mt St Helen's and Mt Rainier are unaffected. Idaho and Oregon are hot and dry in August also and mountain pass temps are mild in the 70-80 range.

John and Gina
1998 black tourer
2010 Interstate 1300

[0leman]

Oregon?  Depends on where you're planning on riding thru.  Like Washington, the West side tends to be wetter and the East side drier (east of the Cascades range).    August is normally still warm on both sides, with cooler temps in the Mountains and along the coast (Hwy 101).

More info on where you are thinking of riding.   

You might want to put Crater Lake on your ride plan.   If you do, PM me and maybe we can meet up.

[olddog1946]

I have found it cool enough in the Idaho and Montana mountains that I use my liner in my mesh jacket when I take off in the early mornings, then have to pull it and start the watering down after a couple of hours on the road. Central Washington, and lower elevations of Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota will be HOT, HOT and most assuredly HOT.

[musclehead]

Rode through Boise on my way to the first Paducah rally, it was 100+ in the treasure valley that day....

I got up many times in central Orygun to ride over to Portland for events and even in the summer it was cold on the passes in the morning

[Red Diamond]

Thanks to all for the information, planning to leave Beaumont, Tx on the 4th, travel west to Sedona, Az, Canyon De Chelly, up thru Monument Valley, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, ND, SD, Spearfish, Deadwood, back down to Texas. Was thinking about touching Oregon and Washington to add those to my riding map, Nevada maybe a bit out of the way. Hope to make it in about 14-16 days doing some camping in the State Parks. Thanks again.

[Felonious Thump]

If you hit Montana do go to, and through Glacier Park. Weather is quite cool in the morning, can be frost even in Aug. Afternoons can hit upper 80's down low, and be in the 50's at the top of the divide. All the traffic on "Going to the Sun" highway means a slow ride, but you will want to stop and take photo's a lot. Much easier finding a place to park a bike then a car at most of the pull-outs. I much preferred bike to car when I lived there. Also be sure to eat at the "Night Owl, Back Room" in Columbia Falls just west of Glacier. The food there is so good it is even busy in the middle of winter when not very many tourists are out. Love there Ribs, and the Indian fry bread is great with there true honey butter. I am afraid that if there are a lot of fires west of Montana, as there seems to be this year, the views will be compromised a bit. So far there are no fires close to Glacier itself. There are many short day hikes to lakes, and waterfalls. If you want to spend more time then a run through let me know and I can tell you my favorites.

[Red Diamond]

Making a list of the stops in your reply, go ahead, shoot me your favs, I've got time on my hands, so says Mr Bubbles.

[Felonious Thump]

Wow, where to start... I lived up there 12 years, and spent a lot of free time in the park. I will start from West Glacier, since that's the main entrance from "my" side of the park. The Canadian center in West Glacier is not usually that busy, and interesting. It is free! It has one of the best Tyranisouris Rex skeletons that I have seen.  Apgar Village, it's a must for any trip to Glacier, even though it is a tourist trap. A Huckleberry Ice Cream is a must here. If you are camping the place is Fish Creek campground on the west of Lake McDonald. Tent camping is allowed. Going up the East Side of the lake be sure to stop at the Lake McDonald Lodge. I love the huge logs and fireplace in the lobby. At the end of the lake there is a trail on the west side of McDonald Creek. Lots of little waterfalls and huge rapids in a 2 or 3 mile walk. Another way to see the biggest rapids is to use the pull outs between the end of the lake and Avalance creek. The trail of the cedars at Avalance Creek is good, but I like taking the trail at the end of that walk going up toward Avalance Lake. The Gorge is spectacular. It's about 2.5 miles to Avalance Lake. The hike is easy. Some of the hike is not that great, but there are things that just blew my mind. Like one area where the moss must be a foot thick. At the head of the lake there is a cliff. Sherry Glacier is on the top of that cliff, and is one of the largest left in the park. That is not the way to get there, but it is more then a day hike anyway. I will have to do more later.

[MP]

Will be looking for you Eli!  If wheat harvest hasn't started, might be able to ride a bit with you!  Expecting you to stay with us a night!

Got some home raised and fed rib eye steaks in the freezer, just waiting on your opinion!

MP

[Oss]

Thump you are killin me here   

I will write all that stuff down for when I get back out there someday

Pretty sure that Highway to the Sun will be closed around IZ time early June

From Zion its just an hour or so to Nevada by the way, a bit further for Vegas

Do think about ZIon its amazing

[flcjr]

While your in southern Montana and northern Wyoming. Be sure to hit the Beartooth highway and the bighorn mountains. Give me a shout while your in the area I'll give ya more local info and maybe join ya for a few miles.

[Red Diamond]

Will be looking for you Eli!  If wheat harvest hasn't started, might be able to ride a bit with you!  Expecting you to stay with us a night!

Got some home raised and fed rib eye steaks in the freezer, just waiting on your opinion!

MP

Mel, I was hoping to ride in one of those big GPS controlled combines, I'd pass on a ribeye for that, but don't count on the pass I'll take both. Looking forward to seeing you and Ms Charlene.

[MP]

Will be looking for you Eli!  If wheat harvest hasn't started, might be able to ride a bit with you!  Expecting you to stay with us a night!

Got some home raised and fed rib eye steaks in the freezer, just waiting on your opinion!

MP

Mel, I was hoping to ride in one of those big GPS controlled combines, I'd pass on a ribeye for that, but don't count on the pass I'll take both. Looking forward to seeing you and Ms Charlene.

Crops are late this year.  Really wet early.  Not sure when we will start.  It will be close by when you get here. You are sure welcome to ride with me AND get a rib eye!

MP

[0leman]

If you ride North/South thru Eastern Oregon (Hwy 97 or Hwy 395) expect temps in the 90's till mid month then maybe 10 degrees cooler.   This also applies to parts of NV on Hwy 395.   Pretty dry this year, so expecting lots of fires in the next month.  Could be real smokey. 

[Felonious Thump]

Beartooth is great. Love that route. We like heading up through Yellowstone from SLC heading to the bosses home town of Missoula to visit family, then up to Glacier. I will do part two of Glacier later today. Headed to the garage to take more of my gyrl apart. Just noticed this morning the rear wheel did take a hit on its slide down the canyon. Just slightly out of round , but will replace. BTW Going To The Sun is never open all the way in early June. If you want to be sure it's open do not plan to go before the weekend of the 4th of July. They have almost missed that weekend twice, but had it open at the last minute. I hiked into lakes up there to fish over the 4th only to find them still frozen over.

[Felonious Thump]

OSS, I have yet to explore Utah down South. Being from Montana I am always trying to escape heat. I do hope to get there in the spring. This fall I have to replace my right hip. It's still cobalt/chrome and losing bone around the socket due to the poisoning. Now part two of Glacier. After Avalanche creek there are more great rapids on McDonald Creek. Some of the pullouts even have spots where you can scramble over rocks and get good photos of some of the many waterfalls coming from the mountains to the west. Once the road climbs out of the bottom of the canyon the road gets twisty with cliffs on both sides. At the tunnel there is usually mountain goats above the road and good views. Up further is Bird Woman Falls lookout, the weeping wall, where water comes off the uphill cliff, then Haystack Creek. There are many other pullouts that all have good views, but I always liked climbing up Haystack Creek a bit. Gives an incredible view the higher you climb the better. When your just below the top of the divide there is a pullout that overlooks most of the road sofar, and a meadow on the other side that could have a whole bunch of Mountain Goats, I have actually sat still in the meadow and had them browsing all around me. At the visitor center on top there is a hike to the Hidden Lake overlook that is very popular due to the beautiful meadow with small streams that run across the trail. Hidden Lake overlook has one of those postcard views that are in most books about the park. Across the road from the visitor center is the High Line Trail. If your spending some time in Glacier that hike is a high light for sure. It is a 12.5 miles hike that gives some views you will remember a lifetime. In the park guide it is called an easy day hike. I do not agree. It was a tough hike that took us almost 8 hours. The best way to do that hike is to leave a vehicle at the "loop" just above the tunnel on the west side. Take the bus or another vehicle to the visitor center and have a day of it. The first 9 miles are not to steep. Mostly stays fairly level. There are areas where waterfalls coming from the cliffs above land on the trail. They are small, but refreshing on a warm day. At one point called 50 peak lookout the only thing seen man made is the trail, and 50 mountain peaks from almost down to Missoula and into Canada. The Granite Chalet is a nice stoping point, although it closes toward the end of August. From there the hard part comes in. The trail drops almost 3000 feet in 3 1/2 miles and just kills your knees. Guess I will have to go for part three. Did not think I would write this much... 

[Red Diamond]

Felonious, man you will have to let off the throttle just a tad, you're making me stretch the imaginary horizon. I got really hungry with your eating suggestion in Columbia Falls, I may need to add trip time to cover all the scenery, highways and National Parks I would like to see. Maybe I should skip everything else and ride straight north to Glacier. Naw, want to see it all. Thanks for your posts.

[MP]

Felonious, man you will have to let off the throttle just a tad, you're making me stretch the imaginary horizon. I got really hungry with your eating suggestion in Columbia Falls, I may need to add trip time to cover all the scenery, highways and National Parks I would like to see. Maybe I should skip everything else and ride straight north to Glacier. Naw, want to see it all. Thanks for your posts.

I think you should add time to your trip.  That is a lot of ground and scenery to cover in 14 days!  What will your boss say about more time off?  LOL

MP

[Felonious Thump]

Part three tomorrow. Going out for the state holiday. Just a not on the Highline trail. My mom was 70 when I took her on the hike. One of the reasons it took 8hrs. So it is not out of reach for most of us. I think I could make it again next year after my hip replacement heals that I will have in Sept.

[Felonious Thump]

I am going to be short on the rest. I think everyone has to know by now that Glacier is bucket list must. East of the divide it just as spectacular. Just before Saint Mary's Lake is a trail that takes you to two waterfalls. Just a mile or so, and beautiful. The scenic side road, can't remember for sure, but it's sunshine, sunrise or something like that. It gives perhaps the most famous view of mountains from the lake, one that many movie fans will say, did they use this as their logo? The answer, yes. Once to the exit head north. Many Glacier is a must, for that Lodge, and short hikes, views that are incredible. From there you can head further north into Canada and go to Waterton, which is the Canadian part of the park. Alternately head South to Two medicine, and East Glacier. Many more areas where there are short hikes. Is that throttled back enough? Years ago, when we moved from Missoula to Columbia Falls, I got my wife her first really good camera. We spent the day going from our house to the top and the visitor center. She used 7 rolls of 24 shot film. Almost all of which are in an album that we still pull out and enjoy. Btw. I will be 66 next summer, and I am planning on taking my Foster Kids on the Highline Trail with both hips being replaced.