US 2 from Seattle to Glacier NP
I am planning a route from Seattle to Glacier NP for a trip late July 2014. I will be pulling a 26 ft FW. What kind of a road is US 2 and am I looking at steep climbs and declines. Other than Grand...
Forum Discussion
Starting from the west US2:
- is busy as it passes through far-suburb towns like Monroe, Gold Bar, Sultan, Startup
- follows a river past the Deception Falls rest stop (nice stop and walk)
- climbs up the side of a mountain to Stevens Pass (4 lanes). Probably the steepest part, but grades are within major US highway standards
- gradual drop
- turn off to Lake Wennatchee - state park and forest service campgrounds
- curvy part through Tumwater Canyon
- Leavenworth - Bavarian themed tourist town
- orchard country to the Columbia River
- along east side of Columbia River
- climb to plateau level (the 2nd major grade)
- slight dip at Mosses Coulee
- flat wheat country to Spokane
- side trip to the dam along Banks Lake. Flat, scenic. But there is grade through the town down to the dam.
- There aren't any significant grades east of Spokane; it manages to stay in major river valleys.
WA20 is an alternative way across Washington. Its route across the Cascades is somewhat more scenic than US2 (not that there's anything wrong with 2's). Further east WA20 has some ups and downs, including the highest highway pass in the state (Sherman), but isn't difficult.
- is busy as it passes through far-suburb towns like Monroe, Gold Bar, Sultan, Startup
- follows a river past the Deception Falls rest stop (nice stop and walk)
- climbs up the side of a mountain to Stevens Pass (4 lanes). Probably the steepest part, but grades are within major US highway standards
- gradual drop
- turn off to Lake Wennatchee - state park and forest service campgrounds
- curvy part through Tumwater Canyon
- Leavenworth - Bavarian themed tourist town
- orchard country to the Columbia River
- along east side of Columbia River
- climb to plateau level (the 2nd major grade)
- slight dip at Mosses Coulee
- flat wheat country to Spokane
- side trip to the dam along Banks Lake. Flat, scenic. But there is grade through the town down to the dam.
- There aren't any significant grades east of Spokane; it manages to stay in major river valleys.
WA20 is an alternative way across Washington. Its route across the Cascades is somewhat more scenic than US2 (not that there's anything wrong with 2's). Further east WA20 has some ups and downs, including the highest highway pass in the state (Sherman), but isn't difficult.
