Missoula - Portland US12 vs I90
Will be going from Missoula to Portland in late September. Looks like there a couple of possibilities - US12 via Lewiston or I90 via Spokane. My usual inclination is to stay off the Interstate and...
Forum Discussion
paulj wrote:Islandman wrote:
... After Lewiston, you will be driving along the Snake River and eventually meet up with the Columbia, not much to look at but the highway is fine. ....
Actually it only stays with the river till Chief Timothy park, about 8 miles. Then it climbs a side valley to Alpowa Summit (WSDOT camera), and from there follows a gentle valley through Pomeroy. This is the route that Lewis & Clark took on their return trip. This overland route was easier than traveling upstream along the Snake.
The Summit isn't much of a pass (2785'), just the top of the climb to the wheat growing fields of SE Washington. There's a rest stop.
Lewiston is the lowest point in Idaho, so every way out, except by boat, involves some uphill.
Highway 12 is a beautiful drive, many places to pull over and look, hike, even small bridges to cross the Lochsa river into the wilderness to hike there. Love the Pomeroy, WA area, antique shops, Pataha Mill to browse through etc.
