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Ideas for Vancouver, Whistler & Washington

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for ideas for this summer... I'm taking the kids to Whistler (North of Vancouver, BC) and I'm wondering what else we should do along the way.

A couple years ago we did Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula, Anacortes, etc... so I'm thinking more about areas East of I-5. We also did Mt. St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, and McMinnville at the same time, so I'm thinking about the Northern areas, above Seattle. We're not afraid of mountain grades, or getting off the beaten path.

Any suggestions for that Northern Washington area?

Any must-see areas or must-do activities around Vancouver while we're there?

Thanks!
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...
9 REPLIES 9

MPond
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the ideas and info.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we're having to postpone this trip until next summer.

But I saved all of your suggestions in my planning notes for next year.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...

Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
Mt. Baker is a lot of fun -- great hikes, wildflowers, wild blueberries. The whole North Cascades area looks like this:


Click For Full-Size Image.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

Thermoguy
Explorer II
Explorer II
You might even consider coming up the east side of the mountains, through Bend OR, into Eastern WA, Northern ID. Hit Canada somewhere near Kelowna. That would be a nice drive...

63-Coupe
Explorer
Explorer
If you or the kids are into trains there is a railway museum in the town of Squamish which is about an hour south of Whistler. https://www.wcra.org/

JaxDad
Explorer III
Explorer III
MPond wrote:
Any must-see areas or must-do activities around Vancouver while we're there?

Thanks!


If time allows you really need to go a little further west (on the ferry) and spend a bit of time on Vancouver Island.

It’s only about 50 miles west, but it’s a world away.

accsys
Explorer
Explorer
We really enjoyed the Washington State International Kite Festival a few years back at Long Beach, WA during the third week of August. You can check our blog entry for pictures and more info about our stay. The previous entry covers the campground we stayed at.
John & Doris
Doris and Robbies Blogs
2017 Cedar Creek Cottage 40 CCK
FMCA F380583, PA, Good Sams

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Explorer III
Or have you considered the Gold Coast to Powell River, Campbell River, Victoria? Some ferrys involved as part of the adventure.

Believe it or not - When we walked out of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria both kids wanted to go back...

Yes we love BC and it's people!
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland

Bob

paulj
Explorer II
Explorer II
The mountains east of I5 and north of Seattle are accessed via

- US2 Stevens Pass, Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth

- Mountain Loop Hwy - Granite Falls to Darrington; lots of hiking; full loop includes gravel forest service driving.

- WA20 - Baker Lake, North Cascades, Winthrop etc

- WA542 - north side Mt Baker

To the crest, most of this is in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There are lots of hiking and scenic drive guides.

In Canada, Hwy 3 climbs into these mountains, with Manning Prov Park.

North of Whistler, you could continue on 99 to Lillooet, and loop back on Hwy 1, or 97 (BC and USA). Some Canadian roads may still have temporary repairs from flooding and washouts this winter.

https://www.cascadeloop.com/ Cascade Loop is a Chamber of Commerce promotion of much of this area.

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Hells Gate on McKenzie River
Leavenworth, WA, It has a Bavarian motif.
North Cascades Highway
Grand coulee Dam. Summer nighttime laser show on dam face.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker