Travelling through Mt. St. Helens?

[Ravialdo]

Was trying to look at routes from Deschutes River National Recreation area to Ohanapescoh Campground in Mt. Rainer. This route allows us to hit some more hiking en route.

Was wondering if this route is RV friendly? We will be travelling in a rental class C, between 27-30 ft.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Deschutes+River+State+Recreation+Area,+Wasco,+OR/Ohanapecosh+Campground+Amphitheater,+Ohanapecosh+Rd,+Randle,+WA+98377/@46.1431789,-122.1778658,9z/am=t/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x54bd8bf84ec1e3f9:0xc02ea245629b4ea6!2m2!1d-120.9086014!2d45.606369!1m5!1m1!1s0x54972df9aacc5e37:0x4138d3abd71549d8!2m2!1d-121.5691807!2d46.7325743!5i1

[Roy_Lynne]

I would just take I5 and be done with it. That would be the fastest route

[paulj]

http wrote:
Date(s): Jun 16, 2016
Forest Road 25 will open as a through road on July 1, 2016. Winter storms caused major damage and crews have been repairing the road in several spots.
Forest Road 99 is open via Forest Road 25. Before July 1, Forest Road 25 is closed and gated between FR 99 south to Muddy River, north of FR 90.

http wrote:
6/08/2016: Road is washed out at MP 12, MP 18 and MP 23.4 This section of the road will be closed the entire Summer of 2016. Rd. 23 from Trout Lake to the West side of Mt. Adams (Takhlakh Lake area) is open. This section of Rd. 23 provides access to the Rd. 90 intersection for those wishing to access the Lewis River .

Takhlakh Lake is only accessible from the south. The through route via Trout Lake is not open. The Wind River/25 is open. There was some winter damage, but it's been repaired.

[OLYLEN]

You can also do 141 Just west of White Salmon to Trout Lake then NF23 to Randle, good paved road except maybe 5 miles the last time I was through and good wide logging road where gravel. Takhlakh lake about 1/2 way has a camp ground and really good view of Mnt. Adams. Lots of RV's run this route in and out of the lake. It is narrow two lane road but very low traffic.

LEN

[paulj]

White Salmon to Trout Lake is a state numbered highway, and quite easy. But beyond Trout Lake is not as big-rig friendly. With a good map like FS one, or map book like Benchmark or Delourme I could pick out a paved route over to Wind River or Lewis River (FS90). There are, for example some interesting volcanic features between Wind River and Trout Lake.

But the through route north NF23 to Takhalash Lake and on to Randle has a gravel middle section. Or at least it did a decade ago. Some of those roads were blocked a few years ago due to washouts.

Wind River and 25 is the best combination across the Nat Forest if you aren't up for too much adventure.

[rbtglove]

Used to work for the Forest service many years ago in Mt Adams Region but have not been back in that area for a few years. You could go through Trout Lake to Randle. Stop at the Ranger Station and they can give you good map and place to see like the ice caves. Probably still be some tight gravel roads but would be the shortest route. I would take a Class C through it's a very scenic drive and there are campgrounds on the way. The trip through the Columbia River Gorge is very scenic and offers many places to explore for the Kids.

[2gypsies1]

Thanks Pauj - Iron Creek it was. It's a nice stop to see Mt. St. Helens and to regroup before heading into civilization again - Mt. Rainier.

[paulj]

The campground near Randle is Iron Creek. It has a day use area. I've also stopped for a break at the FS station near Randle.

There are various campgrounds along Wind River, as well as stop at the top of the pass and the overlook on Curly Ck. And a Snomobile parking area at the turn off to Windy Ridge.

For the 97 route there's MaryHill campground near the bridge, Brooks Memoral State Park near the top of Satus Pass (there is a Washington State Park day use fee), and pull off at Satus pass itself. Not more stops until you get to the agricultural area around Topnensih and Yakima. There's Yakima tribal casino and restaurant and campground in Topenish, though I prefer to eat at taco trucks in this area. And Sportsman State Park on the Yakima River on the east side of I82.

There are campgrouds along US12 especially around Rimrock Lake, and a ski area stop at the top of White Pass.

Overall the US97 route is more civilized. On the other there aren't any towns between Carson on the river and Randle, and that isn't much. Packwood is larger.

[2gypsies1]

In a rental Class C I'd definitely take 97. There are plenty of places to stop and stretch.

Your forest route is VERY curvy and you're likely to have some queasy passengers. 🙂 It will also be a lot slower than 97.

If you want to see the backside of Mt. St. Helens from Windy Ridge Viewpoint, you can get to it a lot easier from Hwy 12 at Randle. It's a short paved drive and a nice forest service campground along the way - can't think of the name of it offhand. It was along a river on the east side of the road.

[Ravialdo]

Thanks for the advice. My initial thought was US97 which if Google Maps is about 50 minutes faster.

With 3 kids though I want places to stop and stretch their legs and on paper that route (US97) doesn't look like it has many opportunities for quick get-out-of-the-RV breaks that would be scenic. I maybe wrong though and if you have some suggestions for that route I'm all ears!

Ravi

[rhagfo]

Ravialdo wrote:
Was trying to look at routes from Deschutes River National Recreation area to Ohanapescoh Campground in Mt. Rainer. This route allows us to hit some more hiking en route.

Was wondering if this route is RV friendly? We will be travelling in a rental class C, between 27-30 ft.

Clicky

Fixed for you :B

[paulj]

Edit your post to embed the URL in a URL tab. It will make formatting of your message and mine nicer.

The route it gives is I84, Hood River Bridge, WA14 to Carson

Wind River Rd to Curly Ck to FS90

FS25 to US12 (Randle, Packwood and beyond)

That is my preferred route across this area, but I've just driven it in a SUV. It is all paved. The curves can take logging trucks. So the only question is, do you like curves and grades?

Wind River starts as an easy mountain valley drive. But zoom in and you'll see a twisty section. This is grade to a modest pass. I've stopped there for a rest, and watched motorcycles drive up, turn around and speed back down. Doable in an RV, but more fun on 2 wheels.

Curly Ck rd is a newer cutoff, probably put in after the Monument was established. It has wider curves, and a nice view point of the Mountain.

90 is a major FS road into the mountains from the west. I like to use the Lewis River campground further east.

25 climbs to a another high point somewhat south of the turn off the Mt St Helens. (99?) This is the only access route to the Mtn from the east - to the Windy Ridge viewpoint. I don't think they allow trailer or big RVs on that side road.

Iron Ck is a nice FS campground before 25 reaches US12. US12 is a broad river valley road to Packwood. Beyond that it splits, with 12 continuing over White Pass to Yakima, and 23 going north into the Nat Park.

25 is high enough that it closed by snow into May or June, though I'm sure it's open now.

One alternative is US97 to Yakima, and US12 over White Pass from the east. That's probably just as fast, and easier driving. Scenic in a different way.

The other is west to Portland, I5 to US12. If you haven't seen the Columbia Gorge this is worth the drive, but traffic will be heavier, and over all not as scenic.