Boise to Bellingham via Tri-Cities- or Columbia River Gorge? (Spokane: hotel, live)

[Moonshot]

Hello:

Given the fire damage, trail closures and any other considerations you may know about that I don't, how worthwhile would it be to detour via the Columbia River Gorge (CRG) when driving from Boise, ID to Bellingham, WA?

Making that trip starting tomorrow. Hotel booked in Bellingham at end of week, so a few days to kill en route.

GPS routes and other maps indicate the easiest route from Boise->Bellingham is via 82, Kennewick and Richland. I mapped out what would happen if I put CRG between the two. It adds 60 miles (45 minutes), assumes I would then take 84W then the 97 interchange near Rufus to head NW and get back on 82.

Said detour seems to not include driving on the scenic highway, or go as far as Hood River (since by then I'd probably be directed through Portland), where apparently most of the "scenic" stuff is... and hotel options.

Given all those considerations, and assuming this is a once-in-a-great-while opportunity, would love your input and advice.

(Also- I put this post here because Tri-Cities is the halfway point I'd otherwise use, so please advise if I need to repost someplace else.).

Thanks in advance!

[ShadoAngel]

To be honest, there's really no reason to do that. The drive is longer and slightly more scenic, but not by a lot. The actual 'scenic' part of the gorge only starts west of where you'd turn north to rejoin your original route.

If you have a few days you want to kill with hiking, etc. choose:

1. Hells Canyon (and area). It's several hours longer to drive up 95 to Lewiston and then across Central WA, but if you're killing days, then the extra driving shouldn't be a big deal. There are some decent trails not far off the highway. Heaven's Gate is a spectacular view and is roughly a 2 hour round trip from Riggins.

2. The Columbia Gorge. If you want to do the Gorge, then take a day or two out of the trip and actually do it. It would take you through to Portland and then north to Bellingham, but again, it's only a few extra hours. There aren't as many trails on the WA side, but they did not burn. Also, depending on where in the Gorge on the Oregon side you went, it might look different than you would expect as there's already a good amount of growth in the burned areas.

3. Mt. Rainier National Park. Google Maps says it adds about and hour and half or so to the shortest route. Tons to see or hike around in there.

4. Keep the shortest route - 84 to 82 to 90 to 5. This goes right over Snoqualmie Pass. There plenty of trails and things to see in the Cascades, without changing your route at all.

[Jiff]

Twenty miles of I-90 were closed from 11pm Monday night to noon today (Tuesday) west of Vantage because of a brush fire. Fire not out.

[Moonshot]

Great. Thank you ShadoAngel for the thorough feedback. I hadn't even thought about Mt. Rainier as an option(!). Leaning toward that (1), Gorge route (2), shortest route (3). Hell's Canyon is very tempting, but I'd want more time in cooler weather for that.

Thank you also, Jiff, for the heads up about the I-90 closure. About 10 minutes after I saw your post, it looks like they've reopened that area in both directions. Will definitely keep eyes and ears open, though!

All input very much appreciated.

[JackLonsdale]

Why not head north - through Spokane - and catch up with the legendary #3 Crowsnest Highway in BC? Amazing scenery, eclectic small towns (and ghost towns), and you can cross into Bellingham via Abbotsford/Sumas - assuming you brought your passport. It may cost you a bit of extra time, but it's a worthwhile route.