B.C. hwy 97 south to S.E CA and S.W. AZ late Oct.

[lazyriver]

Looking for routing suggestions from Osoyoos, B.C. (Hwy 97) heading to south/central CA and SW AZ in late Oct/ early Nov., returning 4-6 weeks later. I realize that weather will play a huge role in choosing a route, but our dates are flexible so we can wait for a better weather window if the roads are bad.
Interstates are fine if need be, but we prefer the quieter, scenic routes when possible. Hwy 395 perhaps?
We are hoping to drive 6-8 hours a day, so be somewhere warm in 4 or 5 days? Overnight stops enroute can be flexible, boondocking, RV or State parks, Walmart, etc.
We have a 26' 5th wheel and a 2011 chev pickup, 2 dogs and a cat.
Thanks,any ideas are appreciated!

[lazyriver]

Yup, that's where we are, hope you enjoyed the area. It's good to know that the
roads we are used to are similar to the ones we are looking to travel.

[paulj]

I just looked up Westbridge. That's just north of the Kettle Valley Prov Park, where I've lunched and camped a couple of times. Hwy 3 has some grades and curves that are comparable to US97, for example Anarchist Summit, Paulson Summit, and Kootenay Pass.

[lazyriver]

Looks like Blewett Pass new or old, might best be avoided, interesting history though. The old portion would be a fun drive, (but not with the 5th wheel). Thanks again!

[paulj]

You should try Old Blewett sometime - in a small car. 🙂

http://oldblewett.blogspot.com/2008/08/historic-blewett-pass-highway.html

[Paul_Clancy]

Just returned last weekend up 97 from columbia gorge. Loved the gorge but not a fan of 97 especially the Blewitt pass 97/2 out of wenatchee - steep and curvy 2 lane. You can route around that via 28/281 and quincy but I havent been that way. Also most of this route has little or no cell service so roadside assist is fairly useless. We'll go back via Coquahalla and down I5 to Cali in the late spring (not winter for sure). I'm far more comfy with that route. I don't pass travel with the trailer in the winter though. Be safe!

[lazyriver]

Good ideas, thanks all!

[paulj]

WA17 leaves US97 at the Columbia River, climbs to the wheat fields plateau and then heads south to US395. This by passes Blewett Pass (and two lesser ones on 97). But once in Oregon, US97 is probably easier bad weather driving. Once you've climbed out the Columbia it is relatively flat and straight, with an average altitude of 5000'. US395 crosses low mountains in NC Oregon, and doesn't become level and straight until it hits US20 (Burns).

[Bull_Rider]

I'd go all the way south on 97 to Goldendale, then decide if you want to go west on 84 to Portland, then south on I-5, or continue south on 97 to Weed, then connect to I-5.

I would also take 205 south from 84 just east of Portland and hit I-5 south of Portland.

And I would consider a detour at Wenatchee to miss Blewett Pass. I would go south from Wenatachee to Quincey, then south to I-90, then either south through Mattawa to Tri-Cites or continue west on I-90 to Ellensburg and then go south on 97 to Goldendale.

[Jim_Shoe]

And you'll be going back north in late Nov/Early Dec. Take a snow shovel.

[donn0128]

97 guaranteed cold nights. Always a chance of snow. I5. Rain. 101. Rain. 395 cold chance of snow but likely sunny days