Need Help Planning Oregon/Northern Cali/Boise Roadtrip!! Never been to any of these places...

[backdrifter]

You don't necessarily have to skip the redwoods. You could cut across from I-5 to the 101 around Roseburg (via 42), you can catch Bandon and go down to Brookings, and then stop at Jedediah Smith State Park in California on Redwood Highway (US 199) back towards Grants Pass and Ashland. The drive from Crescent City to Grants Pass is a little under 2 hours and is very beautiful and worth it. And Jed Smith SP is one of the best Redwood preserves and is very accessible from the road. You would not need to drive all the way down to Eureka as others have said.

I think it's very doable.

Oh, and I think Google Maps gives good time estimates for how long it would take you to drive various stretches if you haven't looked into that. It's very handy to when trying to decide which route to take between two places.

[mdvaden]

I'll probably chime in here in several replies. Good thing you are using multiple days for certain areas. If you are coming out this far, I'd say you would not want to miss the Columibia River Gorge, which is on your list. Someone posted a Multnomh Falls photo already. Treat Oregon as "Oregon and perimeter" - and you seem to be leaning that way with the redwoods. But back to the gorge, at Cascade Locks west of Portland, you can cross the Bridge of the Gods, and drive 5 minutes or so west to Beacon Rock. Hike up the top if you have time. It's under an hour. I'll attach one image of it.

You could make your head spin figuring out the Oregon coast. Several good spots from south to north. If you can only visit the coast in one area, I'd suggest Brookings to Gold Beach area, because you indicated you want to see the redwoods. In fact, I prefer staying in Brookings when visiting the redwoods. I'll be at a campground there June 29 and 30. Am staying at the Curly Redwood Lodge though, the 30th, in Crescent City, CA.

No need to drive to Humboldt County Avenue of the Giants south of Eureka, because the north parks have trees and trails that meet or beat anything to the south. In Redwood National Park, Lady Bird Johnson grove is a likely choice, but Prairie Creek Redwoods and Jedediah Smith Redwoods are a good option. Will attach one image of a tree from that area.

If one day in the redwoods - give it all day. I can share some tips. But it's on the level of being a World Heritage Site, and if you have not been there, I can't imagine not giving it 2 full days.

Hood River is nice, by the way.

The Beacon Rock image is taken from the Oregon side w/ 10 x zoom. One of the largest monoliths in the world. A trail zig zags with rails all the way to the top. The side you see, faces Oregon, and has a view of the gorge in both directions. Tie a windbreaker to your waist.

Hy. 6 to Tillamook is one of my least favorite routes unless going just too Tillamook, which we have done. Think it would burn up from your overall trip.

Have suggestions for the redwoods, but will read your replies first.

The contact tab in my profile page here links to a redwood info page I put together, with a hoard of links.

[mdvaden]

By the way, I can't really post online the location of some redwoods like the one above. But here is one along trailside of Boy Scout Tree Trail in Jedediah Smith redwoods. This was a short day hike with our older daughter from a couple of years ago. My son is going with me the Sunday and Tuesday following this post.

One thought about freeways. I do "okay" on the drive from Portland to Eugene, since it's almost straight as an arrow. But I find the drive on I - 5 to Grants Pass through the Siskiyou Mountains to be fairly relaxing. Up and down and and it curves, but interesting trees and hills. One drive I've never enjoyed very much is the stretch from The Dalles, Oregon, to Pendleton.

[DerbyFever]

This will brief with more to follow when I'm more coherent...it's late & been staring at the computer screen & researching all options. Thanks again to all for the wonderful feedback/input/guidance, it's definitely helping to shape our trip. We considered cutting Redwood area but this is husband's most anticipated part of the trip so it must stay (I'm most looking forward to Portland & Gorge). However, we will plan to stay in Brookings as this looks like a great option. Hopefully this will also afford us the opportunity to explore some of the Southern coast. So here's how things are shaping up...(btw we cut the stay in Eugene to help simplify things a bit):

6/30 Arrive in Portland & stay 5 nights (spending 1 full day exploring Gorge/Hood River with possible
day trip to northern coast but jury is out on this...we'll see how Portland goes.)
7/5 Drive from Portland to Brookings (terrible travel day on Sunday after 4th but looks like it's
necessary...will pray for minimal traffic congestion) Stay 3 nights in Brookings, leaving 2 full
days to see Redwoods plus coastal area around Brookings.
7/8 Drive from Brookings to Ashland and spend 2 nights (1 full day to see area)
7/10 Drive from Ashland to Bend...since this leg is relatively short hopefully can stop on the way to
see Crater Lake, spend 2 nights in Bend
7/12 Drive from Bend to Boise, spend 4 nights in Boise (3 full days before leaving very early on 16th)

Does this itinerary look more do-able and less dizzying? I'm disappointed that with these changes this will probably rule out the possibility of seeing Silver Falls SP which looks stunning. Trying to weigh cramming it all in vs. being able to relax, enjoy, and appreciate that we're on vacation even though the tradeoff may be that we're missing a bit. Looks like we'll have a few options for day trips in several places so that's promising.

Beacon Rock looks like a place I'd love to see, we'll probably keep a list of things we'd like to do for each city and see what the weather holds in each place to plan accordingly. Also good to gauge on the general mood of the group & whether everyone is sick of each other after being stuck in a mini-van all day. Thanks immensely to everyone (I love this sight!!) & please keep sending comments as it's definitely helped plan the major aspects of the trip, now on to the details.

[MtnSurfer]

It looks likes you have refined things quite a bit. I understand not being able to fit everything in. And that is one of the beauties of Oregon. There is just too much beauty to see in one trip! Although we tried. Its important to spend more nights in the places you think you will enjoy the most or perhaps move to. Thats what we did and it worked out well.

The only slight alterations I might recommend is your drive from Portland to Brookings. That sounds like the most difficult leg for the family. You could take Backdrifters suggestion and cut across from I-5 to the 101 around Roseburg (via 42). Then you will be in Bandon which is gorgeous. You could stop there and shave at least an hour off that long drive. No need to continue, you are at the coast. Then take a leisurely drive the next day to Brookings and possibly the Redwoods. There are certain sections of your journey which you need to slow down for and smell the flowers. This is definately one of them IMO.





Whirlwind trips are almost like a race. You have to pace yourself and know where/when to take breaks. Then go again to the next leg. This worked for us. I think the longest drive we had in a single day was 5 hours. And we have three small children so that was really pushing it!

With regards to Silverfalls you could do it as a day excursion from Portland. It is only ~ 1.5 hours away. And its a nice drive. But in the end some things do have to go. We had to cut out Crater Lake and Lost Lake with gorgeous Mt Hood views. Both of those I *Really* wanted to see as well. So next time they are on the top of the list.

Here is a resource I found very useful for the Gorge Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls.

Derek

[mdvaden]

Mtnsurfer ...

Those photos - LOL - like holding cotton candy out to kids.

Now you got me double checking on Google Maps for the other route from I - 5 to Brookings.

Normally, pulling my 12' trailer, it takes me about 5 & 1/2 hours to 6 hours to get to Jedediah Smith Redwoods from Portland, but I have to add 1/2 hour going north to Brookings if I go west on 199. May go the same way this time, as I'm staying at the Curly Redwood Lodge in Crescent City the first night - Sunday.

But I'm going to tally the time and mileage anyway. It might be worth the variety anyhow, to come down 101 from Bandon.

DerbyFever ...

Not sure what your return route is on you gorge / Hood River day. But if you want to do Beacon Rock on the way back, or even drive by it without going up, you might want to return to Portland by crossing into WA at Cascade locks and taking the highway on the north edge of the Columbia. Not as straight - might be interesting. Might add 10 minutes drive time. Goes all the way to I - 5 and then head south back over the river into Portland.

Near Brookings ...

If you get the see the redwoods on a special visit like this, pass on the Oregon park. No real old growth. Good park for the locals - but be sure to go south over the border.

If you like certain food - maybe mention. Some folks here may have a few food stop favorites down that way.

Here's one more redwood pic from Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. A redwood called Bunyan's Pitchfork

[mdvaden]

Took a few moments to crop some Beacon Rock photos. The rails and bridges seen looking up in the one photo, can be found on the other image of the rock if you look closely. At some point, the trail curves around the right side of the rock for a while. Not all zig zag. The one thing I find remarkable about this monolith - aside from the awesome view - is that there are trees growing on it. Must be centuries of wind blown soil accumlated in the cracks plus all the decayed needles and stuff. A few parts have some pretty dense shade.

[DerbyFever]

OK, all, going to give an update on our trip. We had all the details ironed out and everything was going great but then life happened and we had to cancel everything and return home. We spent a glorious 5 days in Portland and got up on the 5th and were headed down to Brookings when we got a call from home that my dear aunt had passed away. So we turned around, returned to Portland, and took the next flight out in the morning (getting up at 2am with 2 seniors & a 2 year old...4 airports & 3 flights--not a good day!!) We had to cancel the rest of the trip, unfortunately forfeiting a lot of $$ as we'd prepaid our vacation rentals through vrbo and priceline, as well as paid extra $$ to change our airline reservation. So all this week we've been planning my dear auntie's funeral instead.

We absolutely positively fell in love with Portland and can see why Oregon is so fabulous, even though we saw only a small fraction of it. One day we took off and went to see Multnomah Falls, the Gorge area, Hood River, and headed back to Portland via the Washington side of the river (thanks for the great tip, mdvaden, well worth it, and we stopped to see Beacon Rock). Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! The day we were headed to the coast & had to return we decided to go ahead & at least drive to the ocean before returning. We drove to Salem then headed over to Newport, up to Lincoln City, and back to Portland. Probably a terrible idea on Sunday July 5th as traffic was terrible and the weather was cold, rainy, & drizzly. It was picture perfect upon our return to Portland so I'm wondering whether that weather pattern is common for the coast? Anyway, we only got to meet with 1 allergist (instead of the 4 we'd had scheduled in various cities) in Portland. He looked at our son's allergy records & assured us Portland isn't the place, though was more optimistic about Hood River area but mentioned Bend specifically. So we'll definitely need to return & finish our trip at some point. The places we saw were beautiful & pictures don't do it justice. Can't wait to return to OR, and under better circumstances.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by DerbyFever

OK, all, going to give an update on our trip. We had all the details ironed out and everything was going great but then life happened and we had to cancel everything and return home. We spent a glorious 5 days in Portland and got up on the 5th and were headed down to Brookings when we got a call from home that my dear aunt had passed away. So we turned around, returned to Portland, and took the next flight out in the morning (getting up at 2am with 2 seniors & a 2 year old...4 airports & 3 flights--not a good day!!) We had to cancel the rest of the trip, unfortunately forfeiting a lot of $$ as we'd prepaid our vacation rentals through vrbo and priceline, as well as paid extra $$ to change our airline reservation. So all this week we've been planning my dear auntie's funeral instead.

We absolutely positively fell in love with Portland and can see why Oregon is so fabulous, even though we saw only a small fraction of it. One day we took off and went to see Multnomah Falls, the Gorge area, Hood River, and headed back to Portland via the Washington side of the river (thanks for the great tip, mdvaden, well worth it, and we stopped to see Beacon Rock). Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! The day we were headed to the coast & had to return we decided to go ahead & at least drive to the ocean before returning. We drove to Salem then headed over to Newport, up to Lincoln City, and back to Portland. Probably a terrible idea on Sunday July 5th as traffic was terrible and the weather was cold, rainy, & drizzly. It was picture perfect upon our return to Portland so I'm wondering whether that weather pattern is common for the coast? Anyway, we only got to meet with 1 allergist (instead of the 4 we'd had scheduled in various cities) in Portland. He looked at our son's allergy records & assured us Portland isn't the place, though was more optimistic about Hood River area but mentioned Bend specifically. So we'll definitely need to return & finish our trip at some point. The places we saw were beautiful & pictures don't do it justice. Can't wait to return to OR, and under better circumstances.

Sorry to hear of your aunt's passing. Like you said, life happened, and the bulk of the trip was canceled, but it sounds like you enjoyed what you saw! Hope you can work something out with the pre-paid vacation rentals and at least get a fraction of your money back. Bend is beautiful in the fall!

[MtnSurfer]

DerbyFever,

I am glad you were able to spend 5 days in Portland but sorry to hear about your aunt. I hope you were able to spend some time with your family during this difficult time. Life is really a fragile thing and when I look at my wife and three beautiful children I am reminded of this. Each day is a gift from God as we never really know how much time we will have with our loved ones.

I hope you get a chance to come back out to Oregon and visit the others places you had planned. Stay in touch and let us know how things go.

Derek