Moving to WA - advice thread

[samthaman]

So I'm moving to Washington (outside of Bellingham) at the end of this week. I want to take my time and see as much as possible along the way. I've got an old dog with me, so I can't do three day hiking trips or whatever, but I'm sure there are some things that shouldn't be missed. I'll be driving on or near 90 the entire way out. Edit to add that i'll be coming from VT

Some things I've already thought about:

Niagra falls

mount rushmore

Devils tower

Glacier NP

Anyway, you're a well traveled bunch, what should I see?

Can anyone recommend any good place to camp along the way?

[hitmanbob]

minnesota, wisconsin, iowa, north and south dakota kind of suck. and go on for ever.

the corn palace is meh

devils tower is cool as is rushmore

wall drug is over rated

yellowstone was really cool, seeing it in spring would be great.

there were very few glaciers in gnp from the road when i went through in 2000, maybe they grew back. My mom said the difference is noticeable in her lifetime when she went through in the 70's. still something to say been there done that. heading down one of the passes is shit-your-pants scary with a trailor and side winds

if you feel like take a few hour detour when you're close, go north to winthrop, then west on hwy 20. see what spring touring is all about

welcome to the neighborhood

[digitaldeath]

go to chicago, get cheesecurds in wisco, fish MN (minnesota is fucking sweet except no mountains- go to glacier park ive been there a ton

[skiingsamurai]

the Bad Lands in SD were pretty cool

I agree with hmb, wall drug sucks ass

[digitaldeath]

go to jackson dummy

[alto]

Just get out here, man.

So what are you doing? Going to Western? Wanna ski some shit?

[CookieMonster]

Welcome to Washington, very sorry that it has to be Bellingham, but at least you're close to the North Cascades.

A. Skip the side trips travel directly to Washington.

Hit the slopes. Was up at Heliotrope Ridge on Sunday ... full on winter ... with 6" of powdery stuff above ~5000 ft. Probably won't be much more powder this season, but maybe we'll actually start to have corn days. Reasons in support of travel direct to WA: Conditions up at Washington Pass are still very good, the volcanoes are very fat, and a number of routes off WA-20, such as Snowfield/Pyramid, Davis->Ross, and Bacon area are still in excellent condition. Shuksan is in marvelous shape for those who rise early and head down earlyish.

B. Minnesota.

Hmm. Minneapolis is cool. Not sure about the rest of it.

C. Glacier.

It's pretty amazing, but I traveled on bicycle both times I was there, and I'm not sure how the experience is by car. If you go, travel via Swan Valley first and have lunch in BigFork. Then car camp ... there's plenty to see from the road. Like most National Parks, there isn't really much to do that doesn't involve walks/hikes. Since you have an older dog, you won't be able to experience the best of the park, but scenery from the road ain't exactly bad. Anyway, on the return, drive through Kalispell / Poulson. It's a completely different experience than the Swan Valley. Flathead Lake is amazing.

D. Idaho. Hmm, it's an interesting place. Lots of lakes. Beautiful. Strange vibe.

E. Spokane.

Here's the point where you really should just take a right and head for BC for the rest of your life. But since you're an American, that won't be possible. There isn't much to see in Spokane, but you could head north and see the southern extent of the Selkirk Range.

E. 97, etc.

From the southern Selkirks you could head down 97 toward Wenatchee and maybe divert to Winthrop ... which is a very cool and strange place ( in a good way ). If you wanted, you could take 20 all the way to 5, and stop along the way for a ski day. I recommend WA Pass if you feel comfortable leaving your dog in the car for a few hours. In fact, I'd go this way even if you're due in Seattle first. Most of the other tours off 20 are not day tours if you've got a dog in the car. At WA Pass you could skin for a few hours, descend, check the dog, and maybe hit another run or two. There is some sort of safe solo stuff off the highway, or you could go on TAY and find partners.

Again, welcome to Washington. It's a skier's paradise even though the snow quality is routinely awful unless you are a FAST mover. Here, there are friends on a powder day but you better keep a close eye on them. Jhamaker and I will be skiing some more stuff in the next few weeks, so maybe send me a PM if you want an invite, or if you aren't booked otherwise.

[pbourdon]

Man, if you can, I'd say try to visit the UP of Michigan. Most of the rest of the state is pretty meh, but places like Marquette and the Porcupine Mountains are worth the detour if you ask me. Still, a lot of the shit east of the Mississippi is pretty bland along your intended route although Devils Tower is pretty cool. Good luck, safe travels.

[mr_gyptian]

Man, if you can, I'd say try to visit the UP of Michigan. Most of the rest of the state is pretty meh, but places like Marquette and the Porcupine Mountains are worth the detour if you ask me. Still, a lot of the shit east of the Mississippi is pretty bland along your intended route although Devils Tower is pretty cool. Good luck, safe travels.

maybe he could paddle a canoe down the st lawrence and across the great lakes?

[alto]

Welcome to Washington, very sorry that it has to be Bellingham, but at least you're close to the North Cascades.

Care to elaborate on the 'Ham hatred? Seems to be a pretty wonderful spot to me. Maybe you were one of the few that couldn't meet any women despite the apparent 60/40 ratio?

[EarlyWood]

excited for you to be taking this trip..hopefully you're not in too much of a hurry.. forget about route 90.
Do NOT miss Glacier National Park nor the Cascades Highway(nor the heart of the adirondacks)

I'm going to find my maps and will be back...I'm telling you, you don't want to miss some of this.

[digitaldeath]

flathead lake is awesome

[CookieMonster]

Care to elaborate on the 'Ham hatred? Seems to be a pretty wonderful spot to me. Maybe you were one of the few that couldn't meet any women despite the apparent 60/40 ratio?

Dear Mr. Tabke:

Please check the wiring on your sarcasm meter. Also, I have a boyfriend, which should help you realise why I am generally not interested in meeting women, in Bellingham or anywhere else, except for friendship.

I sincerely hope the answers set forth herein will provide sufficient remedy for your anger. It is hard for me to imagine the unjustness of a world where something I wrote kept you up at night.

Best,

CookieMonster

[samthaman]

Just get out here, man.

So what are you doing? Going to Western? Wanna ski some shit?

Finished up at UVM a year and a half ago, I'm coming out to ski and be a bum. I'm actually moving to the maple falls area, I wanted to be closer to the mountains than I was in Burlington and Bellingham is actually quite a bit further. I certainly do want to ski some shit, I'll PM you when I get out there. From your posts I take it you live in Bellingham?

flathead lake is awesome

Where is flathead lake? Why did you like it so much?

excited for you to be taking this trip..hopefully you're not in too much of a hurry.. forget about route 90.
Do NOT miss Glacier National Park nor the Cascades Highway(nor the heart of the adirondacks)

I'm going to find my maps and will be back...I'm telling you, you don't want to miss some of this.

Sweet, I'd appreciate any travel tips you've got for me. I'm not planning on missing glacier, though I've already driven the N.Cascades and skied the birthday tour etc. so I'm considering heading to BC instead, but it was all worth seeing and played a large part in getting me back to WA.

at least you're close to the North Cascades.

A. Skip the side trips travel directly to Washington.

Hit the slopes. Was up at Heliotrope Ridge on Sunday ... full on winter ...

C. Glacier.

It's pretty amazing, but I traveled on bicycle both times I was there, and I'm not sure how the experience is by car. If you go, travel via Swan Valley first and have lunch in BigFork. Then car camp ... there's plenty to see from the road. Like most National Parks, there isn't really much to do that doesn't involve walks/hikes. Since you have an older dog, you won't be able to experience the best of the park, but scenery from the road ain't exactly bad. Anyway, on the return, drive through Kalispell / Poulson. It's a completely different experience than the Swan Valley. Flathead Lake is amazing.

D. Idaho. Hmm, it's an interesting place. Lots of lakes. Beautiful. Strange vibe.


Again, welcome to Washington. It's a skier's paradise even though the snow quality is routinely awful unless you are a FAST mover. Here, there are friends on a powder day but you better keep a close eye on them. Jhamaker and I will be skiing some more stuff in the next few weeks, so maybe send me a PM if you want an invite, or if you aren't booked otherwise.

Haha, say hi to James for me, I spent a week living out of his van with him two summers ago. I like to think i'm a pretty fast mover, and I'm glad to hear that winter is still around up high. I'll def send you a PM when I get out there.

I should be clear about the dog. He's in good shape, I take him skiing and on several mile hikes all the time. He's not the best on overnights though, and is pretty terrible on corn snow or steeper terrain (way to slow). If there are little day hikes that are worth doing (thinking of glacier) he and I will be down to explore.

[soul_skier]

When do you head out? By the way, I'm pretty damn sure you qualify as a fast mover according to just about anyone who isn't a rando-racer lycra type

[samthaman]

When do you head out? By the way, I'm pretty damn sure you qualify as a fast mover according to just about anyone who isn't a rando-racer lycra type

heh thanks. We have to be out of the apt by Friday, so I guess the journey begins then, but I wont be driving west in a serious way until at least monday.

Are you still in UT? would you want to meet up somewhere for a day of skiing?

[whippersnapper]

IF you can swing it, take the NE route into Yellowstone: from Red Lodge MT go over Beartooth Pass*, down through Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, then over Teton Pass. Many routes from there, but a direct and great one is through Boise to Bend, over MacKenzie Pass* (Sisters volcanoes), then north.

*Both awesome and beautiful beyond description. The rest too.

[Gopher]

Do not move to Washington! It rains here everyday! Yep, you heard me right, everyday! I'm in Ashford right now and it's torrential. Sorry, I'm just a Californian in Washington. I'll adapt and be fine soon.

[EarlyWood]

..you're avoiding tourist season, at least through the Adirondacks, if you choose to go that way, you WON'T be sorry

The black line shows my route,



I'm biased about the scenery but you MUST go through the Adirondacks at this time of year. Route 74 to the Blue Ridge Road to 28 N to Long Lake, to Blue Mtn. Lake, to Raquette Lake (find the Raquette Lake Inn) to Inlet to Old Forge and carry on. <--This trip is a must as far as I'm concerned.
Niagara Falls, meh, but if you need to go, go to the Canadian side to see it.

The Upper Peninsula, yes, the Great Lakes are amazing, but out of this entire journey the most astounding sites/roads I want you to see is the Adirondack one written above...Glacier National Park (do the Road to the Sun Highway!) and the other stuff below.

After you leave Glacier National Park hit up Whitefish, if you've never been there, check out the town vibe then hike Big Mountain (easy day thing with the dog)

One of the most excellent roads EVER after leaving Whitefish along route 93 was Route 37 outside of Eureka through Rexford to Lake Kookanusca. Take the bridge off 37 to 228 and follow the lake. Mind blowing for like 40 miles. 228 reconnects with 37 sending you into Libby and beyond.

Make SURE you find your way to Route 20 which passes through Winthrop and Mazama! Do the North Cascades Highway up to the Washington Pass all the way down to Newhalem and beyond. You won't regret this, you won't regret this, you won't regret this! ( I see you've already done the North Cascades Highway..but don't miss the Lake Koocanusa trip mentioned above)

I can fill in all the details but am sure you're going to find your way. If you have any questions about the black line, ask. There was so much more I'm leaving out.

[bossass]

^^^^^Win.

[grrrr]

Yeah, you want to get off 90 in spokane, take highway 2 and cut up to highway 20 before Okangon. Take 20 over the pass and then take either 9 or I-5 into Belliwash.

[montanaskier]

The Flathead is a big lake in the Glacier area. Nice area, Kalispell, Whitefish, Glacier, Columbia Falls, etc....good stuff. Classic Montana.

Be sure to stop in Cut Bank home of the coldest recorded temp in the lower 48

[EarlyWood]

(find the Raquette Lake Inn)

^^ correction. Find the Raquette Lake Tap Room.

Can anyone recommend any good place to camp along the way?

how many hours per day will you be doing?
ie: near Niagara your first day?
Most of camping was stealth (this was a bicycle trip), a number of official campgrounds, and the occasional rare find great deal room...like the Little Sodus Inn in Fair Haven (not to be confused with Sodus Point) on Lake Ontario. $25 per night for my own cabin on the water. There's an outdoor bar, food, entertainment. The cabin appeared to be the type that would allow a dog..read, "a little rough around the edges"
The Raquette Lake Tap Room gave me a $35 per nite room..but I expect if you're driving by car you'll be far beyond that..or not.
Do you want to go through one horse towns? I could give a ton of info.

[Shredhead]

I've got a lake house right off of 80/90, ex.144 at the Indiana/Ohio boarder. We will be skiing and boarding all weekend and your welcome to crash.
The waterskiing here is top notch.

I leave Monday, but there's a real nice State Park on the lake with water sites.

[plugboots]

It sounds like you may be around here the week of June 7th. I park at the hairpin at Wa pass pretty much every day at 8:30-9:00, and I always ski with one of my dogs. If today's rain doesn't last it'll still be good up there. Let me know if you're interested.