Recommendations for Montana, Idaho, Washington

covered wagon wrote:

Two Pedals wrote:
Drive through Sun Valley,Idaho, Stanley, Challis, Salmon, Idaho. North through Hamilton, MT and the Bitterroot valley to Missoula, then north to Glacier, National Park. The Lochsa River route (Highway 12) west of Missoula is also scenic. Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Drive the high country route between Cooke City, MT east to Red Lodge, MT just NE of Yellowstone, NP. Lots of campgrounds or boondocking in these areas.

These are very good recommendations. Best compilation I've seen an awhile. Thumbs up here.

I will also second Stanley and the Lochsa River route.

Stanley Lake.

In my opinion you will ruin your travel experience if you go anywhere near the I-5 corridor and Seattle. The place is mobbed with rude drivers, overcrowded roadways. Best to stay off interstates but esp. Seattle area and I-5.

Palouse Falls. A bit out of the way off I-90, but the falls are worth the drive. And as already mentioned, Grand Coulee Dam, take the guided tour and see the laser light show at night.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/559/Palouse-Falls

Reality Check wrote:
North Cascades might open early this year (Hwy 20)... the drive, views, campgrounds, incredible.

Avalanche crews plan to asses the situation on the 10th.
It's neat to keep an eye on this page, because the post weekly updates and lots of photos too.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades/

Mt Rainier visitors center at Paradise, then go NW up Hwy 7, I-5, Hwy16 and finally to Hwy101 to hit Sol Duc Hot Springs just past Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninisula. Then follow the Hwy101 loop around and down to Ocean Shores, keep going south with a slight detour to Westport, then stay on Hwy101 south along the coast as far as you want to go before getting off and heading back east.
Some other must-see's out here - Snoqualmie Falls, lunch at the Space Needle, Pike Place market, the EMP (Experience Music Project), and my place... ;-)

Two Pedals wrote:
Drive through Sun Valley,Idaho, Stanley, Challis, Salmon, Idaho. North through Hamilton, MT and the Bitterroot valley to Missoula, then north to Glacier, National Park. The Lochsa River route (Highway 12) west of Missoula is also scenic. Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Drive the high country route between Cooke City, MT east to Red Lodge, MT just NE of Yellowstone, NP. Lots of campgrounds or boondocking in these areas.

These are very good recommendations. Best compilation I've seen an awhile. Thumbs up here.

North Cascades might open early this year (Hwy 20)... the drive, views, campgrounds, incredible.

Sun Lakes... more history and interesting info in the close area than most would imagine. Beautiful CG's to boot. Grand Coulee is close to there too.

Mt Rainier is worth the effort. Baker great to play on, but not in the same league.

Tetons are not to be missed. Just completely unbelievable. Eisenhower pass (west of Denver) is for sure underrated. 11,000 ft of great views.

So many towns to visit... so little time. 2 months sounds like alot...it's not. Make the most of it for sure!!

Go through Sandpoint ,Idaho

Save time for both the North Cascades (especially the Mt. Baker area) and Mt. Rainier. This is a shot of Mt. Shuksan near Mt. Baker:



Here is a blog post with a lot of photos:

Northern Cascades

And this is Rainier:



Here is the blog post, with more photos:

Rainier

Drive through Sun Valley,Idaho, Stanley, Challis, Salmon, Idaho. North through Hamilton, MT and the Bitterroot valley to Missoula, then north to Glacier, National Park. The Lochsa River route (Highway 12) west of Missoula is also scenic. Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Drive the high country route between Cooke City, MT east to Red Lodge, MT just NE of Yellowstone, NP. Lots of campgrounds or boondocking in these areas.