Trip to northwest

Highway 20 east off the I-5 is purely majestic, this scenery is noted as "The Swiss Alps" of the Cascade Mountain Range. After over 30 years of traveling this route I have never grown tired of the beauty that this path beholds.

Go here for more information of the Cascade Loop

-Kevin

We are Planning on taking 97 south from Leavenworth WA. Then take 84 to Portland, then 5 to 20 then back to 97 toward Mount Shasta, Then cut over toward Reno. We want to take our time and try to stay off the interstates. We want to enjoy our country views.

That's an acronym for a "Heavy Goods Vehicle" aka tractor trailer rig. I guess it's a British one that I thought was also used in the US.

frankdamp...What is an HGV?

To each his own, Diplomat Don.

Heading east in our 32' Class A, I found the stretch of US-2 on the approach to and just after leaving Leavenworth to be real white-knuckle driving, with a really narrow eastbound lane with a minimal barrier alongside a fairly long drop into the river. The number of HGVs on the road was also an issue.

When I referred to "4-lane roads", I was referring only to the number of lanes and not to the fact there was a central reservation, SR 20 is a much wider road than lots of US2. There was only one short stretch still to be finished to 4-lane the last time we were through there 4 years ago.

Although no longer having an RV, we'd still take SR 20 to Eastern WA rather than US-2. Of course living at the western end of SR-20 Spur, it's a no-brainer compared to the 60-mile drag down to Everett to use US-2. Modern vehicles can handle the 5200' pass elevation well enough. Our 02 Georgetown did the climb from Winthrop to the top of the pass at about 35 mph in 4th gear (5 speed "box") running around 3500 rpm. Coolant temp never moved off mid-range.

Butch63 wrote:
The reason for going out the north route is we have family in Reno NV and Colorado Springs. They will be in Florida until early August. The DW wants to fish in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, also as many lakes along the way as possible.

You might want to take a slight detour into Canada at International Falls, MN if you are into FISHING.
Lake of the Woods RV Park with guides
It's a great fishery. We will be there in early June.

I don't know where Frankdamp is getting his info but nothing wrong with US 2. Hwy 20 is a scenic drive however it is also windy and higher than US 2. Only 15 to 20 miles of 4 lane from I 5 to Anacortes. Either way is a very scenic drive. Enjoy.

Sounds like a ton of fun! You chose a very scenic route! Take your time and enjoy those mountains! Be sure to take the train up Pike's peak if you go there.

Butch and company,

I have some suggestions for you if you plan to do this run.

Do a 70 mile diversion. Stop at Sault Sainte Marie and watch the flush a ship down the lake. Then run around through Paradise to the Whitefish Point Shipwreck museum. There are numerous different water falls in this area too.

The pictured rocks are worth the cost of the boat ride.

There are several good museums as such in Duluth.

If you get in striking range of Alexandria MN, there is the Rune Stone there that is a fun stop if strange interests you. But if you have stayed with RT 2, you will be too far north.

You will not be too far north for the international Friendship Garden. You can temporarily enter and leave Canada without passing customs. (I hope this is still true.)

If you have gone south to I-90 by half-past Montana, the Museum of the Rockies is an amazing stop.

And yes, Rt-2 is a beautiful road, but don't count on fuel stops and restaurants in convenient places. You will be out of cell phone range a lot of the time.

Matt

I'd suggest a minor change. US2 through the Cascades west of Leavenworth is narrow and twisty for a major highway and is heavily traveled by commercial trucks. As an alternative, I'd suggest Highway 20, which is the northernmost of the Cascade passes.

It has been greatly improved in the last 5 years or so, is a four-lane road most of the way, is much quieter (very few trucks). Assuming you're headed west on US2 out of Spokane, take highway 97 north at Orondo, then pick up 20 a little way west of Okanagan. You'll meet up with I-5 at Burlington.

I don't know how the distances compare, and I'm a bit biased towards Highway 20, as we live out at the end of 20-spur in Anacortes, about 35 miles west of Burlington.We also like it because it goes over 5200' high Washington Pass and the scenery is spectacular. It does get closed for the winter, usually late October, because of snowfall. There isn't enough traffic to justify the cost pf plowing it.

Do a bit of map reading and see if the mileage difference makes sense in your particular case.

If you have the time, I'd suggest coming out to Anacortes and spending a day on the State ferry system and seeing the San Juan islands.