Northwest Coast

[VTLee]

We are planning on touring the northwest coast in 2016. We will be traveling from the east coast and have never been west of Utah so will need some advice. The only time that we can go is in April and early May so my question, is that too early? It looks like it will be wet but will it be too wet to do some hiking and site seeing? Planning on going north from San Francisco up Rt.1 and 101 to the Olympic peninsula and then heading to Canada and Glacier National Park before heading home at the end of May. We are debating what to take as we have a pickup camper and a 5th. wheel. Would the pickup camper be better on Rt. 1 and 101? Advice from those of you familiar with the northwest would be greatly appreciated.

[cpaulsen]

2gypsies wrote:
As stated, depending on the size of your 5th wheel it's advisable not to take it on Hwy 1. 101 is very doable with any size.

We have gotten sites in the Oregon State Parks mid-summer without reservations. I really don't think you'll have problems in April/May without reservations. Reservations really ties you down and puts you on a strict schedule. We dislike them and have no problems finding a place to stay.

Once you're on the Olympic Peninsula, plan a stop at Port Townsend. It's a neat little town and you can do a lot of day trips from there including via ferry - to Seattle's waterfront and to Victoria, B.C. You can easily tour parts of Olympic Nat'l Park from there. You could also put your RV on the Port Townsend ferry which will take you to the area north of Seattle- Anacortes - for the continuance of your trip.

Just be safe and make reservations. I have been hosting at Oregon State Parks and watching how many people get turned away because there are no sites left. Even happening this weekend where as of right now we have gotten over 3 inches of rain the last few days.

[kknowlton]

The 5er will be more comfortable for that length of a trip, but the TC will give you more options not only for routes but also campsites. Oregon has some very nice SPs which the 5er will fit well in, but you would find more flexibility with the TC. Just some things to consider.

[Tom_Barb]

April 1 to 30

[2gypsies1]

As stated, depending on the size of your 5th wheel it's advisable not to take it on Hwy 1. 101 is very doable with any size.

We have gotten sites in the Oregon State Parks mid-summer without reservations. I really don't think you'll have problems in April/May without reservations. Reservations really ties you down and puts you on a strict schedule. We dislike them and have no problems finding a place to stay.

Once you're on the Olympic Peninsula, plan a stop at Port Townsend. It's a neat little town and you can do a lot of day trips from there including via ferry - to Seattle's waterfront and to Victoria, B.C. You can easily tour parts of Olympic Nat'l Park from there. You could also put your RV on the Port Townsend ferry which will take you to the area north of Seattle - Anacortes - for the continuance of your trip.

[RVcrazy]

We would not take highway 1! How long is you fiver? If you want to stay in the nice Oregon state parks, you need to reserve early, 9 mo. For FHU is best. They are worth it, but best if you don't have a huge fifth wheel. Enjoy!

[You_can_t_take_]

VTLee wrote:
We are planning on touring the northwest coast in 2016. We will be traveling from the east coast and have never been west of Utah so will need some advice. The only time that we can go is in April and early May so my question, is that too early? It looks like it will be wet but will it be too wet to do some hiking and site seeing? Planning on going north from San Francisco up Rt.1 and 101 to the Olympic peninsula and then heading to Canada and Glacier National Park before heading home at the end of May. We are debating what to take as we have a pickup camper and a 5th. wheel. Would the pickup camper be better on Rt. 1 and 101? Advice from those of you familiar with the northwest would be greatly appreciated.

We just returned from a trip along Hwy 1 and 101 but we did the reverse starting in Seattle and finishing in Ventura California. If you take the fifth wheel north from San Francisco you'll be fine. If you decide to take in Hwy 1 to go south of San Fransisco you will be better off with the pickup camper. The scenery on Hwy 1 south of San Francisco is fabulous but the twists and turns and changes in elevation would be a challenge for a fifth wheel (and the driver!). We saw very few trailer combinations on that stretch and the ones we did see were short!!

[donn0128]

Coast will be mild and rainy. Just nothing you can do about that. West of the cascades is wet until after the fourth of July. East of the cascades will be dry, but colder.
101 goes quite far inland for a lot of the time. Not as nice as OR or northern CA for site seeing.

[enblethen]

Sounds funny, but we are going to be heading east to New England in May.
Great time to come. Lots of opportunities. Could be a little early for some attractions to be open.
Bring your passport and visit Victoria
Oregon, Sea Lion Caves, Oregon Dunes Ft Stevens, Fort Clatsop, Oregon Caves
Northern California, Redwoods
Washington Olympic Pennisula, Tatoosh Head, Whidbey Island and Deception Pass. Leavenworth, Grand Coulee Dam, Dry Falls
Bring you rain gear!

[Marine_By_Choic]

April & early May will be great. No problem with 5th wheel on Rt 1 and 101. Shouldn't have too much traffic, so will have plenty of opportunities to pull off to enjoy the views.
When you get to Astoria, OR please make sure you visit the Astoria Column.
Your trip WILL be epic!
Be safe,
Keith