Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake, Mt. Ranier
Hi--we are trying to plan a trip from Minnesota to Mt. Ranier, through the Cascades and down to Crater Lake NP. and home again. I've heard that the Cascades are beautiful and the area around Bend OR i...
Forum Discussion
The NF25 is probably the road south from US12 at Randel. NF99 is a turn off to the Windy Ridge viewpoint for Mt Helens. At NF90 you can either go west to I5 (north of Portland), or jog east a bit and take the Wind River road to WA14 on the Columbia Gorge (Carson?).
NF 25 and 99
These are good way of seeing the east side of St Helens, and traveling from the Rainier area to the Columbia Gorge. They are paved, but not quite up to state highway standards. They do twist and climb. Not a problem if you are a logging truck driver, but not the best for flat landers.
From the east side (e.g. Yakima) US12 is the best way to the Rainier area. WA410 is a more scenic alternative, with one of the best views of the mountain at Chinook Pass (in the morning). But read about park roads at the park website. It is a mountain after all.
US97 may be your best choice for traveling the length of the Cascades - along the east side. It has some modest passes in Washington, but is mostly flat in Oregon. It gives access to Bend area (Cascades Lakes) and Crater Lake.
There are paved scenic byways in Oregon that travel NS along the Cascades, but like NF25, they are better in a car or small RV.
NF 25 and 99
These are good way of seeing the east side of St Helens, and traveling from the Rainier area to the Columbia Gorge. They are paved, but not quite up to state highway standards. They do twist and climb. Not a problem if you are a logging truck driver, but not the best for flat landers.
From the east side (e.g. Yakima) US12 is the best way to the Rainier area. WA410 is a more scenic alternative, with one of the best views of the mountain at Chinook Pass (in the morning). But read about park roads at the park website. It is a mountain after all.
US97 may be your best choice for traveling the length of the Cascades - along the east side. It has some modest passes in Washington, but is mostly flat in Oregon. It gives access to Bend area (Cascades Lakes) and Crater Lake.
There are paved scenic byways in Oregon that travel NS along the Cascades, but like NF25, they are better in a car or small RV.
