Community Forums

Magic · 09-01-2008, 06:57 PM

Hi All,
We're in Cusick, WA and are wondering about taking 20 to the coast. Any Bad mountain passes ???? Any real bad roads ????? Would you take this route ????? Thanks in advance DAVE

Magic · 09-01-2008, 06:57 PM

Hi All,
We're in Cusick, WA and are wondering about taking 20 to the coast. Any Bad mountain passes ???? Any real bad roads ????? Would you take this route ????? Thanks in advance DAVE

CD · 09-01-2008, 09:04 PM

Magic
What are you driving (towing)? If you have big MH or 5er or concerned about mountain driving you might want to reconcider. I wouldn't be concerned about taking our TT & Dully over it, but I grew up in mountain country. We have been over 20 and there are easier ways to get over the mountains such as Snoqualime. Maybe some one else can give some personal experience.

Magic · 09-02-2008, 05:31 AM

CD,
Thanks, yes we're in a 37'W24gasser with a toad. We've been over most passes in lower colorado and such with no problems, I just didn't want to find 10% grades and close switchbacks. DAVE

Cruzer · 09-02-2008, 05:33 AM

We've taken our 40' Bus and now our 42' Bus, towing a Grnd Cherokee, on that route before with no problems. We'd leave the interstate at Spokane and head up to Grand Coulee, then pick up 20 at Omak. The toughest part is Washington Pass but it really was no big deal at all. We've had much worse in the Rockies. It is a nice scenic drive with lots of places to pull over. The North Cascades are fully of neat places to see, Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, Washington Pass, etc. Riverbend RV Park, between Winthrop and Twisp is a great park to begin your day's trip as you descend to Anacortes via 20 all the way. We generally spend a few days at Fidalgo Bay RV resort in Anacortes to see that area.

LindaH · 09-02-2008, 09:31 AM

If you're going to do any amount of driving in the mountainous western states, I highly recommend picking up a copy of the Mountain Directory West. There are 6 section of SR-20 mentioned in this directory:

**West of Tiger, the grades are no more than 6% with 25 & 35 mph curves and several 10 and 15 mph switchbacks.

**Sherman Pass. No grades over 6% and no switchbacks, but some 35-40 mph curves.

**Wauconda Summit. No grades over 6% although most are in the 3-4% range.

**Loup Loup Pass. One 1/2-mile 8% grade, the rest no more than 6%, some 35-45 mph curves.

**Washington & Rainy Passes. Some 6-7% grades with many 20-35 mph curves.

We've driven SR-20 across Washington from both directions at one time or another, and it has presented us no problems. Just be sure you go down in the same gear that you went up...you want to use your transmission to slow you down as much as possible rather than your brakes.

CD · 09-02-2008, 11:27 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LindaH:
Just be sure you go down in the same gear that you went up...you want to use your transmission to slow you down as much as possible rather than your brakes. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
When my Dad was driving truck years ago, he maintained that you use a gear lower going down hill. With the power in todays engines I think it should still apply unless you have an exhaust brake etc.

Magic · 09-02-2008, 12:11 PM

Thanks Guys,
We use a "grade brake", kinda like a "jakebrake", only on a gasser and reduce gears. I'll tell you the best thing that ever happen to "gas" motorhomes was the Allison Tranny. It is always making us believers wheather we're going up or down.
Linda, everytime I think I might use that book, I think, well, we've been there, done that, but we seem to keep finding new ways to get out here. Anyway, thanks again for all your helps DAVE

Magic · 09-04-2008, 03:38 PM

Hi All,
Thanks again for your help in deciding whether to take 20 across Washington or take the boring 90 instead. We did Blueslide(north of Cusick) to Carlton today. Wow, what a great road, lots of greenery and scenery. Our only hitch was in the flat valley area just south of Omak where 20 & 97 come together. We were doing 60 or so, a BIG deer decided to cross the road and we hit the brakes and even threw out an anchor to try to stop before we hit it. It gave me a look like "It says this is a deer crossing area, can't you read????" as it slowly wandered down into the opposite ditch. Like I said, great road, and I can't wait until Saturday when we head for Sedro-Wooley DAVE

MtManLee · 09-05-2008, 05:54 AM

I am camped on 20 as we speak at the Alpine Rv Park in Marblemount, Wa. I took 20 in from the east and had no problems what so ever. And I have a 37 foot gas pulling a dolly with a toad. I have been back and forth across 20 over the past month site seeing and hiking and its a good road. And Sedro Wooley is a busy little town.
Hey Linda do you read your directory while driving? I bought the Truckers Atlas at wallmart and has 10 times the info as the directory including bridges and passes and so on. Found the mtn directory a waste of good money.

Magic · 09-07-2008, 07:49 AM

Hi All,
Well, we finished our drive across 20 yesterday and all I can say is WOW !!!!! We took most of the day to travel the 170 or so miles from Carlton to Birch Bay, WA. We had lunch in one of the most spectacular views we have had in a long time. Thanks again for all the advice DAVE

P.S. Hi Lee,
That's a nice looking park your at. Hey, have you seen the Gas Prices in Sedro-Wooley????? We cramed as much as we couldget in our's yesterday at $3.579, Haven't seen those kind of prices in a looong time