Community Forums

LovesToWine · 01-20-2019, 12:28 PM

We are working on our trip to Banff (this September) and would like to know what you think of these highways. We live on the Washington Coast (west of Olympia) and have a Toyota Tundra pulling a 22' TT. We are very much newbies.

We now have the "Mountain Directory West" and have never been to Mt. Rainier. We would stay somewhere in the middle of the state and then on to Sandpoint or Bonners Ferry, Idaho for the second night. Then off to Radium Hot Springs, BC.

So, suggestions are
1. I-5 to Hwy. 12 going east to Hwy. 82 to go north to I-90 and go east.
2. North on I-5 to go east on I-90
3. North on I-5 to go east on Hwy. 2 and then?

We have driven Hwy. 2 in the Summer to Chelan in our Subaru (not towing) and it was ok, but this is different.

Thanks in advance!

saddlesore · 01-20-2019, 12:51 PM

Hmm..
If you can..(and have the time) I-5 to US-12 (stay a nite in the Packwood area) then I-82 to I-90 to George,WA., north to Quincy then west a few miles to Crescent Bar (Grant County/PUD Rec park(REALLY beats the hell out of the KOA there).
Then back thru Quincy/Ephrata and north thru Sun Lakes & Dry Falls to Grand Coulee Dam for another nite.(Watch the late evening light show & Dam presentation) then make your way on to Idaho..

(RV Park Reviews are your friend)

LovesToWine · 01-20-2019, 01:04 PM

Thanks! That is a nice and new perspective, and I appreciate the heads up on the Coulee Dam. If we do not make it on the way there, then maybe on the way back.
Are there any "scary" or challenging spots on the routes you mentioned?
Thx

rgvtexan · 01-20-2019, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Hmm..
If you can..(and have the time) I-5 to US-12 (stay a nite in the Packwood area) then I-82 to I-90 to George,WA., north to Quincy then west a few miles to Crescent Bar (Grant County/PUD Rec park(REALLY beats the hell out of the KOA there).
Then back thru Quincy/Ephrata and north thru Sun Lakes & Dry Falls to Grand Coulee Dam for another nite.(Watch the late evening light show & Dam presentation) then make your way on to Idaho..

(RV Park Reviews are your friend)

This is a good route, some grades and curves on US 12.

WSDOT - White Pass Road and Weather Conditions

Some good movies at the GC Interpretive Center.
Stop at the Dry Fall Interpretive Center. Rest Rooms and some info on the history and area.

From GC take WA 174 to US 2 to I 90,
Watch your speed in the Lincoln County Towns, we need the money.

Top up fuel before entering Canada.

Enjoy

saddlesore · 01-20-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovesToWine

Thanks! That is a nice and new perspective, and I appreciate the heads up on the Coulee Dam. If we do not make it on the way there, then maybe on the way back.
Are there any "scary" or challenging spots on the routes you mentioned?
Thx

No, not that I remember, 2 lane road on 12 and up thru the south side of Rainier (nice view points and Packwood is about as close as you can get to Rainier (private & State parks there)
We had no issues with a 40' and toad, just don't try to make time....Same from George to Grand Coulee..(a lot of view points and pull offs).