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3_Birds's avatar
3_Birds
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015

WA US 97 South to Mary Hill

Hi we are planning to avoid the I5 southbound this year and looking at US97 to the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge (Biggs Rapids). Wondering what the grade is descending to the Columbia and general conditions for a 40' with 20' of tow?

Many thanks, Gord

15 Replies

  • we do the drive from biggs to Leavenworth quite often with our trailer. It is a pretty drive, and what I'd call pretty typical two lane highway. Yes, there are a few passes, and a few steeper grades. the steepest one is probably from SR14 junction down to the crossing at biggs. pretty steep, I'd say 10% or so, but not very long.

    Personally I'd pick this route over I-5 through portland, just for the change of scenery and different things to do and the slower pace.

    I'm about your overall length, 60ft,
  • If your going to do it from the border, then get off 97 when GPS says so heading toward Grand Coolee. Much flatter drive and connects with I90 about 30 miles east of where you puck up 97 again.
  • Hi and thank you. We are planning to be through the area Oct 23/24 time frame. Realize it is a little longer but tired of the I5 through Seattle and Portland. Planning to rejoin I5 at Weed CA. 2000 feet over 5 miles is a little steep but sounds doable. We (by mistake) took 190W to 395 out of Death Valley and survived a route not taken by any trucks. So if the truckers use it, we will.

    Thanks, Gord
  • 97 or the variants from the Canadian border to the Columbia river enoumpasses a lot of elevation changes. The drop to the Columbia from the plauteau is a couple thousand feet in maybe 5 miles. There is at least one stop sign mid way down. Trucks do this road all the time. So it is doable, but not for the faint of heart. Satus pass north of Goldendale is another pass to be concerned with. The climb out of the Columbia river south again is doable, trucks do it all the time. But it is narrow, slow and twisty until you again get on top. Then you have another slow decent into Madras.
    From where your at it is probably easier and faster I5 south to Portland and take 26 over Mt Hood to 97 south. But, be aware if your looking for a snowbird route south that the weather east of the Cascades can be unpredictable with few campgrounds open.
  • When? Currently much of 97 is closed/or involved in wildfire issues (Okanagan complex/Chelan complex.
    Better check before you lock in your olans.