home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

My previous post on waterfalls convinced me that going to the northwest may be a good idea. We are 73 years old and still can hike 5 to 8 miles a day and handle steep, rocky trails; don't like gravel. At what airport should I start and end the trip. Is there 5 weeks of sites. When to visit we preferer off season to save money.
I need to get flights, determine car rental and scope out Airbnb and get use to paying too much for lodging.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You can fly into Portland or Seattle unless you prefer a smaller airport. Unless you like to ski, you may have more fun in the spring and summer as it rains a LOT in the winter. Some natives can give you more advice, but I would definitely spend some time at the Oregon coast. I usually drive west out of Portland to Tillamook, grab some local cheese and wine and the head north along the coast, stopping at ShortSands beach and then continue North to haystack rock and Astoria before turning back east to Portland or continuing north up the coast into Washington. In Portland, don’t miss the Wonderful rose and Japanese Gardens. The go east down the Columbia River Valley/Hood River, stopping at Multnoma Falls and going across the bridge to the Salmon hatchery before heading further east. Then, one day, drive to Mt. Hood and visit the wonderful WPA era Lodge overlooking the mountain for food or to spend the night. Then there’s Crater Lake, Klamath falls, and other completely different areas of Oregon and National forests that I don’t know well to explore, but I’m sure a native will chime in and give advice. I know less about Washington, but would certainly visit the coast and Mt. Rainer.

The Northwest is a wonderful place, unlike anywhere else in the US - you’ll know that as soon as you step off the plane - the phrase “The Great Pacific Northwest” comes to mind. Careful, you may love it there and stay. I’d be there now if all my family wasn’t here.

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

Seaside, OR is a neat little town and it has a great restaurant: Norma's Steak & Seafood. I especially liked their smoked salmon linguine.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge, Crescent Lake, Mt Rainier, etc etc etc

DICK32

TRIX has a good list. Seattle is a beautiful city but be careful in the city. I would add for you to visit the Juan Islands off Washington--very few visit them and they take your breath away. Seattle is a beautiful city but be careful. There is an air charter that can fly you over the city and the islands. Go to Vancouver, Canada a beautiful city and Vancouver Island--you can put your car on a car ferry--it is a big island so you need a car. Portland's airport is easier to get in and out of.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

thanks

SteveZas Loc: Lemont, Illinois

In addition to the above, and if you’re traveling for 5 wks, in Washington, Ruby Beach, the Ho rainforest, ( Both trails, the longer has nice falls at the end ). Ruby beach has the sea stacks which are nice. Also the Cape Flattery Sea caves are very picturesque. That is an easy approx one mile trail, worth the walk though. Also the Olympic National Forest, and Hurricane Ridge as you would loop along the Northern part of the state. If you do go North on the east side of the state on your way to Ranier, Silver Falls is also a good place, Christine Falls and several others along the way. Oregon, Idaho and Washington could be covered in five weeks. Each state has something different and beautiful.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

…in Oregon, Thor’s Well is a must…also…you might want to consider expanding your trip to include the city of Victoria in BC Canada (a day trip by boat from Seattle)…you’ll need the requirements of going into another country…but, worth the adventure…!

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

Portland is more central. one spot no one has mentioned is the Panted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds in central Oregon.

fosis Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Try to get to southeast Washington -- The Palouse. Lots of rolling hills and fields. And Palouse State Park west of there, with a miniature "grand canyon" and a beautiful tall waterfall. Search "Palouse" for pictures and stories here in UHH.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

I would recommend Autumn. Five weeks won't be enough time to hit all the sites in Washington and Oregon.
Check out these books to help you decide what you want to see.

https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Oregon-Phototripsusa-Greg-Vaughn/dp/091618918X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22B8HNJDFFTH7&keywords=Greg+Vaughn&qid=1669993190&sprefix=greg+vaughn%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Washington-Greg-Vaughn/dp/0916189198/ref=d_pd_sbs_sccl_2_1/131-7336239-9110916?pd_rd_w=ixYe7&content-id=amzn1.sym.3676f086-9496-4fd7-8490-77cf7f43f846&pf_rd_p=3676f086-9496-4fd7-8490-77cf7f43f846&pf_rd_r=YTSZH425CE9615SG9H9A&pd_rd_wg=mVd63&pd_rd_r=e6ac769a-e01f-4131-9899-1b8c03ecf4b7&pd_rd_i=0916189198&psc=1

You can see some of my photos here:
https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com/Oregon
https://www.fayledvisionphotography.com/Washington-State

Hope this is useful info for you.

RolandDieter

I live just outside Portland, and I agree with the person who recommends autumn. Winters here are an almost constant rain and hiking isn't much fun ... the dampness makes the cold go through you even if the temperature doesn't sound bad. Summer is problematic due to crowds, and some high spots, like Multnomah Falls, require a reservation to stop there.

gwcole

[quote=home brewer]My previous post on waterfalls convinced me that going to the northwest may be a good idea.

I love the temperate rain forest on the Olympic peninsula. The state park is beautiful. It receives over 11 feet of rain annually so go in the "dry" month of August.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

If you have never been to British Columbia, you may wish to bring your Passports, also.
You will miss lots of opportunities along the way by flying instead of driving. Think Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Idaho, etc. Oregon's 'driest' period in that area is October to April; July and August are the driest months in Western Washington state. I liked the month of MAY, Rhododendrons were in bloom! And it was still the 'off season' for room rates.

In no particular order:
http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/scenic-byways/
Scenic Byways | State Of WA Tourism
https://stateofwatourism.com

http://grb.smugmug.com/PHOTOS/2010/April/Silver-Falls-North/i-Fwwxf3F
Silver Falls State Park. It's enormous and contains 10 gorgeous waterfalls. Trails galore too.
Salt Creek Falls ..... 20 miles
Soleduck Falls, Olympic NP, WA
Olympic National Park ,Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach
Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
Mt Rainier And Eunice Lake, WA
Alpenglow Wildflowers and Mt Baker From Skyline Divide, WA
Sunset Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon
Sunset Shi-Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, WA
Mt Shuksan Reflected In Picture Lake, WA
Latourell Falls, Columbia River Gorge, OR
Proxy Falls, Willamette National Forest, OR
Fairyland Falls, Columbia River Gorge, OR
Mt. Washington, Oregon,
Lewis River Falls, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA
Glacier Peak, Lenticular Clouds, And Moon, WA
Pre Dawn Light on Mt Baker and Ice Burg Lake, WA
Mt Adams Thru The Tatoosh Range, WA
Mt Baker and A Tarn, Park Butte, WA
Edith Creek and Mt Rainier, Mt Rainier NP
Twenty-Two Creek Waterfalls, Mt Baker-Snoqualmie NF, WA
Hall of Mosses Trail, Olympic NP, WA
Hidden Lake, North Cascades NP, WA
Mt Daniel and Robin Lake 2, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Rampart Ridge Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Reflections Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff NP, Canada
Lake Oesa, Yoho NP, Canada
Prusik Peak & Gnome Tarn, Enchantments, WA
Dragontail Peak Reflection in Tranquil Lake 2, Enchantments WA
Mt Assiniboine NP, Canada
Garabaldi Provencial Park, Canada
Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
Baring Lake, Sawtooth NRA, ID
South Sister Reflected in Sparks Lake, OR
Sawtooth NRA, ID
Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, Mt Rainier NP, WA
Alaska Lakes Basin, WY
Mt St Helens and Spirit Lake, Mt St Helens NVM, WA.
Mt Adams From Norway Pass2 , Mt St Helens NVM, WA
Sauk Mountain State Park 2, WA
Goat Flats, Boulder River Wilderness, WA
Mt Adams and Tatoosh Range From Van Trump Park 2, Mt Rainier NP, WA
Sahale Glacier Over the North Cascades 2, North Cascades NP, WA
Desolation Peak 2, Ross Lake NRA, WA
Ross Lake and Hozomeen Peak, From Desalation Peak, Ross Lake NRA, WA
Doubtful Lake, North Cascades NP, WA
Steens Mountains, Steen Mountain National Recreation Lands, OR
Goat Lake and Foggy Peak 1, Henry M Jackson Wilderness, WA
Panorama Point 2, Mt Rainier NP
Silver Falls State Park, OR
Wahclella Falls 2, Columbia River Gorge, OR
Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Gorge, OR
Metlako Falls, Eagle Creek Gorge, OR
Oneonta Gorge 2, Columbia River Gorge, OR

Clearwater Falls, Mt St Helens NVM, WA
North Cascades NP, WA
Ladder Creek Falls, North Cascades NP, WA
Boulder Falls, Boulder River Wilderness, WA
Tumalo Falls, Oregon
Wallace Falls State Park, WA
Wallace Falls State Park, WA
Lower Lewis River Falls 7, Gifford Pichot National Forest, WA
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, Washington State.

http://grb.smugmug.com/PHOTOS/2010/April/Silver-Falls-North/i-Fwwxf3F
Silver Falls State Park. It's enormous and contains 10 gorgeous waterfalls. Trails galore too.

If you have never taken the ferry to Alaska... Will need a month (at least!), if you go there!

Drip Dry McFleye

Recently returned from a 6 week road trip to those places lasting from Sept. 20 to late Oct. 2022.
Recommend these two books: Photographing Washington & Photographing Oregon by Greg Vaughn. Amazon has them. We used the books a lot before and during the trip and thought they were worth their price. We are mid 70's and did a lot of hiking and tent camping. We went to North Cascades, Olympic, Mt. Ranier and Crater Lake National Parks. The majority of campgrounds in the Parks were already closed for the season. The road to Hurricane Ridge is closed for major repair work. We were really lucky weather wise. Rained lightly only two times. Daytime temps in 60' all the way to 80 degrees. Cool nights as low as 39 degrees a couple of nights but mostly 50's and 60's at night. Photographically speaking, the Oregon Coast was disappointing. It was quite foggy every day of the four days we were there. It was a great trip over all and I recommend it. We also had a great whale watching experience out of Port Angeles.