Community Forums

OpaRon · 05-17-2008, 05:15 PM

We are on our way from the Grand Canyon to the Portland, OR area. Plans now are to take I-40 from Williams, AZ to US 93 to Las Vegas and Nevada 160 to Pahrump. Then US 95 to Reno. So far so good. But we're thinking we'd like to take US 395 in Northern California into Oregon. Or, maybe jumping from 395 over to CA 139 to Oregon and the Klamath Falls & Crater Lake area.

We'd appreciate any advice from iRV2ers who've traveled these routes and can alert us to any "problems" you see in our routing. Thanks in advance! Oh, and BTW we only have 6 days to do this route.

OpaRon · 05-17-2008, 05:15 PM

We are on our way from the Grand Canyon to the Portland, OR area. Plans now are to take I-40 from Williams, AZ to US 93 to Las Vegas and Nevada 160 to Pahrump. Then US 95 to Reno. So far so good. But we're thinking we'd like to take US 395 in Northern California into Oregon. Or, maybe jumping from 395 over to CA 139 to Oregon and the Klamath Falls & Crater Lake area.

We'd appreciate any advice from iRV2ers who've traveled these routes and can alert us to any "problems" you see in our routing. Thanks in advance! Oh, and BTW we only have 6 days to do this route.

LindaH · 05-18-2008, 04:53 AM

No problem at all...just keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to wait out a snow storm in the higher elevations.

JKCTAZ · 05-18-2008, 06:45 AM

6 days is plenty to see a number of things in S. OR if you like. I would stay on 395 and go north through Lakeview. Nice small town with a campground just west off 140. Fly fishing is great in this area, take your toad and explore the upper reaches of the Chewaucan, or go in at the state park on the Sprague.

From Lakeview you can go west on 140 towards Klamath Falls, but cut off on 58 toward town of Sprague River and join 97 in Chiloquin. N. on 97 to 58, then west through Oakridge to Eugene and I-5 to Portland. This is the fastest way, and when you get on 97 in Chiloquin you are just a few miles from Crater Lake. Diamond Lake is north of Crater off 138 and has a nice campground, but the mosquitos will carry away small pets. Not sure of the current status of fishing, they have had to poison the lake in the past due to foreign species coming in with fisherman.

Second option is north out of Lakeview then nw on 31 towards Paisley. Wildlife viewing in Summer Lake, hot springs and a few campgrounds. stop at Fort Rock and Hole in the Ground. Interesting geology. This route joins you to 97 north and you go through Bend. Lots to do around here. Take Century drive and Cascades highway around the mountains to Bend. Worth seeing. Take Burgess rd just north of LaPine west to Pringle Falls fish stations. Walk around the hatchery. Fall River and the Deschuttes head here. A few primitive FS campgrounds that are worth staying at if you don't require full hookups, internet, and group Bingo.

Join with 42 and head west to 46, the Cascade Lakes Hwy. Head north and be sure to stop a lot. The lakes, streams, and views are all postcards for OR. On the north side of Mt Bachelor the road turns east back into Bend.

From Bend you can go west through Sisters (good campgrounds in Sisters) to Salem and join I-5 to Portland. This is slightly less steep and lower elevation than the next choice--North on 97 to Mt Hood and join 26 over Hood to 84 on the east side of Portland.

All are good, and all are easily doable in a big rig with toad. The one that will tempt you, but you have to avoid, is the old 242 out of Sisters heading west. It is the old highway and joins back up with the main road on the west side of the mountains. It is a twisty, beautiful route with lots of stops for streams and waterfalls, but anything over about 20' won't make it.

Have fun, and avoid the interstates!