goldfieldranch
Goldfield Ranch Az
New Member
Joined: 12/07/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Offline
|
Revison #1 to our plans........
I made reservations in Winchester Bay July 6th-12th, but I'm thinking that will need to be changed. I am trying to fit Crater Lake, Sisters, Newport,Whaleshead, Canon Beach, Brookings, Winchester Bay.
We really want to stay along the coast. If there are campgrounds you recomend that will be great. The advise is to see the coast North to South. We are pulling a 38' 5th wheel with a dodge dually.
And there is the toss up whether to travel thru Ca or Nv???????
Thanks Again
Whaleshead, OR will be our starting point. Looking over the maps it seems either you take 5 North and back track.
Is there an easy way to get over to the Hwy 101, say from Redding?
We will either take I40 into California or go up to Reno and across
Thanks
* This post was
edited 11/06/09 10:20am by goldfieldranch *
2008 Montana Big Sky
2007 Dodge 3500 Dually
and ShyAnne the traveling dog
|
paulj
Seattle
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2007
View Profile
|
You are talking about the Brookings area of the south Oregon coast, right?
There have been lots of threads about driving 101, and crossing to and from it.
Hwy 20 past Clear Lake is the most recommended way of crossing from I5 to 101 in the south. 299 and 36 are very windy and generally disliked by RV drivers.
Another option is I5 into Oregon, and US199 to Crescent City. Further north Or 42 is a perfectly good way of crossing from I5 to 101.
|
cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
Moderator
Joined: 07/02/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Paulj has it pretty well. We will be heading for that same area in May. PM me (in Mesa) and we can talk about it.
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
|
donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Having just pulled 199 I can say it is not for the faint of heart. There are some narrow twisty spots and you cannot expect to make good time towing over it. I have driven all three, 199, 299 and 20 in California and as far as I am concerned 20 is by far the best drive. Now from there north on 101 can be slow. If you are looking to make time to get to Brookings, then I5 to Grants Pass,OR and 199 over to 101 is by far the fastest. Looking for scenery then 20/199 is my choice. What do you mean by starting point? Are you going further North? or going back south? If you are going north, then it is best to get as far north as you intend to go and use 101 back south.
Donn
|
RedRollingRoadblock
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 11/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Well if it was me I would do anything to avoid the freeways. That said I'll start you off in Klamath Falls, OR. How you get there is your choice but I got an opinion on that if you ask.
From K. Falls you can head north on US 97 and take OR 62 into Crater Lake via the South entrance. There is a campground there but no hooks and I think there is length limit. Another option is to continue North and take OR 138 east to Diamond Lake. There is Diamond Lake Resort that has everything as well as a couple of USFS campgrounds. From Diamond Lake it is a short drive into Crater Lake. More options include Collier State Park near Chiloquin and make it your base but the drive to Crater Lake will be longer. Check out the Logging Museum while you are there.
Back out to US 97 North there is Newberry Crater and LaPine State Park. South of Bend there is the High Desert Museum. You could stay at Tumalo State Park and make it a base for the Bend area. You might want to spend some time in Sisters and do some shopping. The town is remodeled to look like an 1800's town. Take your pickup (DO NOT TOW) and from Sisters and take OR 242, The Old McKenzie Highway, to the summit. There is a view point up there in the lava beds that is a short walk and you can see seven(?) of the Cascade Peaks.
From the Bend/Sisters area you could head to the coast via US 20 and OR 126 through Eugene/Springfield to Florence. Near the town of Blue River and Vida, I think there is some campgrounds.
Or take US 20, OR 22 to Salem and grab OR 18 into Lincolin City. Not to far out of Sisters is Metolius River and Camp Sherman. Can't remember if there is campgrounds there, I know it has cabins. About half way from the summit and Salem there is Detroit Lake Campground.
The last option is US 20 and take it straight though to Newport. The downhill side over the Cascades is steep-they don't call it Tombstone Pass for no reason. I would use it as a last option. All Are doable.
Another option is from Bend continue North to Madras and pick up US 26 West toward Mt. Hood. Near Government Camp at the summit you can take the road to Timberline Lodge. It was built by the CCC's in the 1930's. I wouldn't tow up the road but It can be done. On the way to Hood there is several USFS/BLM campgrounds. The Lodge has some good dining but $$$.
From Government Camp head back East and take OR 35 to Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge. Wine, wind surfing and things there. You might turn east on I-84 to The Dallas. Historic town on the Oregon Trail. From here the Oregon settlers took rafts down river to Portland or went overland via Mt. Hood into Oregon City. There is a museum on the west end to town, the name escapes me, it is off exit 81 or 82. Further west eleven miles from The Dallas is Memaloose State Park. Nice park but sits below the freeway and the train tracks are your neighbors. Just east of Hood River is Viento State Park same trains though.
About half way from Hood River is Multnomah Falls. You can access it from the Freeway and a short walk. Neat old lodge and decent food. Take a walk to the top of the falls. You used to be able to walk behind the lower falls not sure now. The trail to the upper falls is hefty climb. I don't think I would try the old highway with your setup.
Head toward Portland and take I-205 north till it rejoins I-5 and exit 36 in Washington. Follow the signs for Oregon and Astoria and US 30. Stay at Fort Sevens State Park. The park has old gun placements from WW2 and interesting history. See the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Astor Tower while is Astoria.
Heading south on US 101 you can use your imagination.
In Tillamook there is the old blimp hanger and the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Interesting tour on cheese making. Near here is Cape Lookout state Park and the Three Capes scenic route.
Stop in Lincoln City and stay at Devils Lake State Park. Two blocks off the main drag behind the school. Easy to miss. Neat park. Easy walk to D River Wayside and beach. Buy a kite and enjoy. Reserve now.
Depot Bay. Watch the fishing fleet, whats left of it, come in. Dragging your trailer and trying to park is a lottery. Just take the pickup.
South of Depot Bay is Beverly Beach State Park. Great park and short easy walk to beach. Reserve now.
Newport Hatfield Science Center, Oregon Coast Aquarium, and an RV Park. I don't think the RV park is much. South Beach State Park. Fun stuff to do in old town.
South of Yachats there is Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Neat viewing area and visitors center. If I remember right there is a steep trail up to an WW2 lookout. Heceta Head Light house is a little further south.
At Florance there is Honeyman State Park known for the sand dunes. Good old town. Five miles south at Sand Dune Frontier rent an ATV/sandrail or take a buggy ride on the dunes. If you have never done this do it, you will have a blast.
At North Bend/Coos Bay there is Sunset Bay State park. Short walk to the beach.
Further south there is Bullards Beach and Cape Blanco and Humbug Mountain State Parks.
In Port Orford I understand that Crazy Norwegian's Fish & Chips is a great place to eat.
At Gold Beach there is the Mail Boat Tours on the Rogue River. If while you are looking at maps and see a road from Gold Beach to Galice DO NOT attempt to tow your rig on it. It is an okay logging road. If you really must see it do it in your pickup only and allow three hours for the trip.
Brookings. Harris Beach State Park. Enough said.
From Brookings continue south to US 199 and take it to Grants Pass. Like others have said it is twisty but the worst section is only 15-20 miles or so. I used to run that road every night for awhile. That said CA 20 isn't a bad ride and all the Oregon coast routes are fine.
Between Grants Pass and Medford there is Valley of the Rouge State Park.
If you decide to head east toward Klamath Falls OR 140 is fine to take.
Guess that puts you back where I started you so have a good trip.
|
|
|
|
