Route, CG Shasta to Montana - Montana Owners Club

Parrothead · 04-10-2006, 05:44 AM

When we leave the rally we would like to go north across to the Spokane area into Idaho and then Montana. Could all you Oregoians and Washingtonians help us out on route to take and roads to avoid. Also CG suggetions along the way.
Happy trails........................

Montana Sky · 04-10-2006, 10:58 AM

Sue,
As you know I was just in the San Jose/Sunnyvale area and came through Mt. Shasta week before last. I went up I-5 to almost Portland, then jumped over to the 205 to detour around Portland traffic. Jumped onto I-84East and took that all the way to central Washington where I grabbed I-82/HWY 395 North and came through the Tri-cities (Pasco, Kennewick and Richland). Went up to I-90E and came on home to Spokane. Really a decent drive overall, no major road construction or problems to worry about. After you spend some time in this area, make sure you head over to Coeur D' Alene, ID. It is a great small town on the lake, almost always great views of the mountains and lake along with shops to see. I really love the drive on I-90 from Spokane over to Missoula, MT. Go through some really pretty mountain pass' with more views than you can possibly see in one trip over.

mjflora · 04-10-2006, 11:40 AM

Lrt us know when you get to Montana! Maybe we should have a Montana (the state) mini-rally sometime this summer!

Mary

adelmoll · 04-10-2006, 02:04 PM

Hi Sue. We spent a lot of last summer in the area's you are headed. I think I probably mentioned the campgrounds we were at in my blog. My new blog starts in Central Oregon. I sure do agree with Dave on Coure D'Alene. The Columbia River Drive was beautiful. Crater Lake is my favorite all time National Park and Montana is great no matter where you are. But Glacier is the best of them all.

Helen

Montana_1892 · 04-10-2006, 04:01 PM

hi, a good camp ground on your route is Coure D'Alene RV resort, in the town of Post Falls, Id. Is an excellent stop over point. Full service and sized for our size rig. Easy off freeway access from I-90 and next to a Walmart Supper Store. Make reservations, though ...
A good stopping point exactly one day drive from there is Mary Hill State Park (in Wash). From Post Falls, I-90 to 395 thru the tri-cities triangle and across the state line to Or. I-84 west to Biggs Junction, accross the bridge to and first right is Mary Hill State Park, again make reservations. Sized large enough for our big rigs. Back in's are easy, just watch the tree heights on some of the sites. Also has lots of pull throughs designed for motor homes.
The reason i call it the tri-city triangle is that their have many good people lost their, circling for eternity, trying to figure out how to get back on the interstate. Seriously i have more problems getting thru the tri-cities, than Portland. Good luck

Montana Sky · 04-10-2006, 04:32 PM

grey-ghost,
I can second that, the first time in the tri-cities trying to get to Richland I ended up down by the Oregon border. I hate having to go through there, thank goodness for gps nav systems. The thing just beeps and gives you directions including exit numbers. I love it!

Montana_1892 · 04-11-2006, 04:15 PM

hi again ... realized you were coming from the south, so reverse previous directions.
also add some stuff you might want to know.
assuming you are using diesel fuel, some of the lower priced places on your trip are on I-84, East bound out of Portland, take the first Troutdale exit, at the far end the Flying J. Moving on over on I-84, take the hwy 730 short cut to 395 and just before you enter 395 there are a couple of stations, the Tescero is ussually cheapest.
once on 395 and I-90 avoid fueling in WA, our taxes make fuel higher. If you fueled at the last stop, you should be able to make Post Falls, ID. I-90, just as you enter Idaho, take the first exit, a left under the I-90 and the first right will set you up for another Flying J, big truck stop, with your own RV lane and lowest fuel price.

If you decide to make the stop i suggested at Mary Hill, plan a few days. from there you can make the Mary Hill Museum, and Mary Hill winery, pricey but excellent wine. Closest Walmart is in Hood River with good access, exit 62, south side I-84 and east a mile or so. also above Mary Hill state park is a copy of Stone Hendge, nice view of Columbia river Valley.
On any trip down I-84 you must stop at Multnomah Falls, which is actually a combination of falls that total the most drop in height in the continential US.

an alternate from the flat I-84 run, exit at Biggs junction, over the bridge past Mary Hill and up 97, which will take you into Yakima, there's a nice state park there, but the casino is cheaper, but no trees. there is also a winnery tour that starts from there. continue on 97 will get you into I-90 and east bound.

Virgil · 04-11-2006, 04:34 PM

I agree,, the Tri Cities area is pretty darn confusing. We used directions from yahoo to get through Tri Cities. I am glad we at least had that. The straight through route is not all that well marked. Portland isn't too bad, no worse than any other city it's size. The drive along the Columbia River is fantastic. The first time I drove through there, I was surprised at the desert area SW of Spokane. We also stayed at the KOA campground east of Coure D'Alene. That used to be nice. I am not even sure that it is a KOA anymore. And yes, Multnomah Falls if a fantastic sight. If you feel ambitious, I would engourage the hike to the top if you are up to it. You stand at the head of the falls and the view down is truly breath taking. It is a long ways up but coming down is easier. That would take a couple of hours to get up there. I was a bit proud. My daughter and son in law lived in Portland then and took us there. The old man had to set the pace and wait for the kids to catch up,, lol. It was a good workout and fun. Well worth the effort though. The drive along I-90 is great. Good luck to you and enjoy the beautiful rockies.

adelmoll · 04-11-2006, 07:07 PM

Sue, I have a special fondness for Multnomah Falls as that was where my Dad proposed to my Mother way back in the early 1930's. (On the bridge). I will say that one of the nicest campgrounds we have ever stayed at was in Pasco, Washington over the 4th of July weekend last year. My brother lives in Kenniwick and wanted us to stay in his yard but we stayed in Pasco and had them over for dinner. They are always cooking when we go there so it meant a lot for me to do the same for them. We had a ball going to all the wine tasting and spent a day in Pendleton, Oregon visiting the underground. Great Time

drhowell · 04-12-2006, 04:59 AM

We travel to Montana from the Mt Shasta area regularly and have tried all the routes. We can let you know what works for us at the Rally. The best route we have found is up 97 to the Columbia river and across through Tri Cities to Spokane Then the Interstate into Montana. We have some favorite routes north of the Interstate depending on the destination, Kali spell, Shelby etc. The Tri Cities highways are very confusing and it takes some concentration to make the correct interchanges. Just keep an eye out for the big overhead signs. Some say Spokane and some only give the highway numbers so be prepared. I figure I want to go North East out of Tri Cities so I keep that in mind when making my way across the Columbia river and keep moving that direction. There are two main crossings to the Columbia in Tri Cities and either will get you where you want to go.

Like I say we can look at the maps at Lake Siskiyou and give you some pointers. Barbara is heading back there again for the 4th of July. Family reunion time.

I made one trip from Mt Shasta to Shelby in about 18 hours driving time. Had a family emergency and drove straight through. I wouldn't recommend it.

toolmanroy · 04-12-2006, 05:38 AM

If you are going up Highway 97, there are some state parks worth staying in, one north of Klamath Falls with logging museum:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_228.php

Another just south of Bend:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_41.php

Oregon state parks have low rates but nice sites and at least electric and water, most with full hookups. We prefer state and county parks to cement parking lots when we are able to find them.

Beyond Bend I cannot really help you but it is beautiful country!

If you choose the I-5 route, let us know if you need any help in the Medford-Ashland area.

Montana Sky · 04-12-2006, 03:05 PM

If going up 97 through Bend, Oregon I would have to highly suggest staying at Crown Villa resort. Stayed there last year for the RV Rally. Had the pleasure of meeting Bill and Helen(adelmoll) there. http://www.crownvillarvresort.com

toolmanroy · 04-12-2006, 03:09 PM

Crown Villa is very nice but very expensive. We stayed there before but were asked the year and make of our RV and trailer before we were allowed to stay there.

bobgay · 04-12-2006, 05:19 PM

I'd like to add to Toolmanroy's list of Oregon state parks -- Cove Palisades State Park just off US 97 about 15 miles north of Redmond. Three rivers flowing through a wide and deep canyon. Breathtaking views. We like the campground on the rim of the canyon -- called Crooked River Campground or "Loop E".
Bob

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