Community Forums

Loralie · 07-09-2011, 10:16 AM

My husband and I are going from Blaine Washington (far northwest corner) over to Omak Washington. We originally planned on using US Highway 2 through Leavenworth because we were concerned that Washington 20 would be too tough to pull our big 5th wheel over. Then we talked with a couple here in the park and they said they thought that Washington 20 was a good road...so here is my question...IS Washington 20 through the North Cascades a good road for an RV???
thanks for any input you can give us!

Go Dawgs · 07-09-2011, 10:31 AM

Both are good choices and the view is great. Many RV's and tour busses use both.

Happy Trails
Arnold

beaverfever · 07-09-2011, 06:40 PM

have not been over them this year. last year both were ok

wkdwitch · 07-09-2011, 09:40 PM

Crossed hwy 2 Marysville from Coulee Dam last month....Moho and toad....nice trip even for an east coast flatlander!

TurtleKent · 07-09-2011, 10:06 PM

Take Hwy 20 thru the park, the scenery is magnificent, road is excellent, easy climb
. Nice camping is at Howard Miller Steelhead County Park, Rockport. Large, open, easy access. The Nat'l Park CGs are rather tight, although the trees are beautiful. Pulloffs available for viewing. Winthrop(E. side of park) is an interesting western town.

frankdamp · 07-10-2011, 08:39 AM

Now that WSDOT has finished plowing, I'd strongly recommend SR20. IMO, it's an easier drive with a bigger rig than highway 2. It does go higher than Stevens Pass. Washington Pass is about 5200' altitude, but the climb isn't too steep and the road is wider than Highway 2.

You'll still see snowdrifts about 20' high where the highway guys plowed. The pass was very late re-opening this year.

pvrick · 07-10-2011, 05:25 PM

I think the North Cascades Highway is one of the most beautiful drives in our country. It only has one challenging curve, but you can make it easily.

Enjoy

MaverickBBD · 07-11-2011, 09:20 AM

I cross from Bellingham using both often. I like to alternate. Whichever I take going east I take the other going west. Don't ask me why but IMO Washington and Rainy Passes (Hwy 20) seem like an easier pull going east. The downhill from the summit at Stevens Pass (Hwy 2) requires lots of pre-downgrade slowing and down gearing. Hwy 20 is breathtakingly stunning. On weekends the traffic is heavier and can be slow going from Concrete to Newhalem. Hwy 2 from 5 through Monroe is a matter of lane position to flow with traffic.

HohoDad · 07-14-2011, 09:58 PM

I would take Hwy 20 over Hwy 2 anytime, good road, and not as many trucks... some neat stores to explore in Concrete, Seattle has resumed the Diablo Dam Skagit Tours, then there is Winthrop a treat in it's self....

Seattle City Light | Skagit Tours Home

Cheers
Ted in Seattle

Loralie · 08-13-2011, 05:41 PM

Hi..thought I would let you know what we decided. We ended up taking US 2 for a couple of reasons. 1 - I wanted to see Leavenworth, 2 - we knew that wa 20 would be beautiful, but Lee would be so focused on the drive that he wouldn't get to enjoy it. So we went by US 2 and it was great. We stayed at a very nice county park in Monitor (just past Leavenworth) and then came north to Omak. From here we did a day drive up wa 20 and really enjoyed the sights and Lee was able to stop often to see things and we even had time for hiking. Thanks for all your help!