Forum Discussion
paulj
Jul 22, 2013Explorer II
Going around by way of Seattle has the easiest driving, but that involves some big city traffic, and only gets you to the park headquarters. But the most scenic part of the drive on WA20 is the east side climb to Washington Pass. Most people 'see' the park by driving through on WA20. I write 'see', because the highway never enters the park itself. The park is on both sides.
There isn't a best drive. Options include:
US395 to Kettle Falls, WA20 the rest of the way. WA20 climbs to Sherman Pass, the highest paved pass in the state. But I haven't read any complaints of it. The rest of the way to US97 is rolling hills. There's another pass between Okanangan and Twisp (Loup Loup). The climb into the Cascades starts after Winthrop.
US2 Wilbur. 174, 155 to Omak and WA20. US2 is flat; crossing the Columbia below the dam involves grades down and up. 155 crosses an upland.
You could also take WA17 to US97.
An alternative to WA20 over Loup Loup is WA153, which follows a river valley.
US2 to US97 is also possible. This has a goodly grade dropping down to the Columbia River. US97 from Wenatchee follows the river, so is scenic without much in the way of grades.
US2 over the Cascades is also scenic, and a bit higher than I90. Local Chambers publicize a North Cascades loop using US2, US97 and WA20.
There isn't a best drive. Options include:
US395 to Kettle Falls, WA20 the rest of the way. WA20 climbs to Sherman Pass, the highest paved pass in the state. But I haven't read any complaints of it. The rest of the way to US97 is rolling hills. There's another pass between Okanangan and Twisp (Loup Loup). The climb into the Cascades starts after Winthrop.
US2 Wilbur. 174, 155 to Omak and WA20. US2 is flat; crossing the Columbia below the dam involves grades down and up. 155 crosses an upland.
You could also take WA17 to US97.
An alternative to WA20 over Loup Loup is WA153, which follows a river valley.
US2 to US97 is also possible. This has a goodly grade dropping down to the Columbia River. US97 from Wenatchee follows the river, so is scenic without much in the way of grades.
US2 over the Cascades is also scenic, and a bit higher than I90. Local Chambers publicize a North Cascades loop using US2, US97 and WA20.
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