Washington East on 20 or West on 20 -- US2
I am going to tow my 30 foot 5er from Seattle to Grand Coulee and back. The plans are to do the 20 & 2 loop. Question: Should the Northern legbe East or West? Then the Southern leg will be in the ...
Forum Discussion
Regarding grades, the most significant one 2 is the loop on the west side of the pass. Climbing you are on the inside; descending on the outside with big views of the valley below - and maybe just a bit scary in the winter when you aren't sure of traction.
East bound through Tumwater canyon is slightly better - you are on the outside looking on to a nearby river (no big drops), and then emerge dramatically into Leavenworth. The town's a nice break after the mountain driving (though you could have taken a side trip to Lake Wennatchee).
After crossing the Columbia, 2 follows it for a while, and then climbs to the Waterville Plateau. This climb may be as significant as the last part of Stevens Pass. In a big vehicle it is probably more fun climbing.
On 20 climbs are gradual to Colonial Creek (Diablo Lake). Then an inside climb to the Lake overview. More gradual the rest of the way to Rainy Pass. The east side of Washington pass is dramatic, and worth stop at the overview regardless of which way you are going.
East of Twisp you have several choices - south along a river to the Columbia and 17 east, or east over Loup Loup. Then south on 97 or SE on 155. Either way be prepared for some grades where the highway leaves the river and climbs to the plateau.
Camping:
- 20 has Nat Park camping a Newhalem and Colonial Creek, and Lake Roosevelt. Nat Forest camping east of Washington Pass, and at Loup Loup. Check the state parks site for their parks - at Winthrop and various places along or near the Columbia.
- 2 has a few forest service campgrouds, but most are on side roads Lake Wenatchee has both FS and state. County parks near Wenatchee, as well as state or power company along the river. Also along Banks Lake.
Overall it's easier to find rustic camping a day's drive east of Puget Sound along WA20.
Traffic around I5 and 20 gets a bit heavy. I like to go through Arlington and Darrington for a more rustic drive (or even Mountain Loop to Granite Falls if I'm feeling adventurous, and right car). There are even paved back roads on the south side of the Skagit River as far east as Marblemount.
East bound through Tumwater canyon is slightly better - you are on the outside looking on to a nearby river (no big drops), and then emerge dramatically into Leavenworth. The town's a nice break after the mountain driving (though you could have taken a side trip to Lake Wennatchee).
After crossing the Columbia, 2 follows it for a while, and then climbs to the Waterville Plateau. This climb may be as significant as the last part of Stevens Pass. In a big vehicle it is probably more fun climbing.
On 20 climbs are gradual to Colonial Creek (Diablo Lake). Then an inside climb to the Lake overview. More gradual the rest of the way to Rainy Pass. The east side of Washington pass is dramatic, and worth stop at the overview regardless of which way you are going.
East of Twisp you have several choices - south along a river to the Columbia and 17 east, or east over Loup Loup. Then south on 97 or SE on 155. Either way be prepared for some grades where the highway leaves the river and climbs to the plateau.
Camping:
- 20 has Nat Park camping a Newhalem and Colonial Creek, and Lake Roosevelt. Nat Forest camping east of Washington Pass, and at Loup Loup. Check the state parks site for their parks - at Winthrop and various places along or near the Columbia.
- 2 has a few forest service campgrouds, but most are on side roads Lake Wenatchee has both FS and state. County parks near Wenatchee, as well as state or power company along the river. Also along Banks Lake.
Overall it's easier to find rustic camping a day's drive east of Puget Sound along WA20.
Traffic around I5 and 20 gets a bit heavy. I like to go through Arlington and Darrington for a more rustic drive (or even Mountain Loop to Granite Falls if I'm feeling adventurous, and right car). There are even paved back roads on the south side of the Skagit River as far east as Marblemount.
