Way out West June Trip...

[bygdawg]

Okay...Here we go again. MacJD and I are planning a big trip out West in June, and would like to get some ideas of "can't miss" spots along our route. We'd also like to get any of you that are along the route, that would like to, to join in for that part of the ride. After all, what better way to see the best parts of an area than from a local that knows the area better than either of us. Below, you will find a brief layout of the route we are planning on taking and stops we have in mind.

We are planning to depart on June 01 and heading West on 40 across Arkansas, OK and stopping in TX. Then, we would continue on across New Mexico and stop again in AZ. From there, we'd continue to California and make our way North along the Pacific Coast Hwy. and see some sights in the area while making our way to Oregon. We'd lay over there a bit and see some of Oregon and neighboring Idaho. Then, we'd continue onto Montana and see Glacier and start making our way South through Colorado and then head East across Kansas to make it home.

http://pics.midsouthspyders.com/listpics.asp?a=dl&ID=7004
http://pics.midsouthspyders.com/listpics.asp?a=dl&ID=7005
http://pics.midsouthspyders.com/listpics.asp?a=dl&ID=7006
http://pics.midsouthspyders.com/listpics.asp?a=dl&ID=7007
http://pics.midsouthspyders.com/listpics.asp?a=dl&ID=7008

A few other highlights of my trip:

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/SouthWest/AZ/AZ_2.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/SouthWest/AZ/AZ_7.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/CA/CA_1.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/CA/CA_2.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/OR/OR_1.shtml (maybe)
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/OR/OR_2.shtml(maybe)
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/OR/OR_3.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/ID/ID_4.shtml (maybe)
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/ID/ID_3.shtml looks good
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/MT/MT_2.shtml It's probably called beartooth pass for a reason. :-o
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/MT/MT_1.shtml (must do)
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/WY/WY_2.shtml (We ould
combine with beartooth pass).
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/CO/CO_7.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/CO/CO_4.shtml
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/CO/CO_3.shtml

Some commented last time that these were must sees:

1) Old Columbia Highway through Multnomah Falls. Half-day trip. Make sure
to stop and take in the view at the Vista House at Crown Point. The
roadway has just been redone, so you'll have fresh asphalt for your
enjoyment. Sunday brunch at Multnomah Lodge by their huge fireplace is
marvelous.

2) Wilsonville Road from I-5 to Newberg, then back to Portland via Scholls
Ferry Road. This is what we think of when someone mentions a liesurely
drive down a tree-line country lane . Plenty of twisties to keep the bike
interested, and all the scenery you can handle.

 

[KenBobPDX]

Hey Dog!

Be sure to give us a holler when you make it up to Poteland! There's a great ride to the coast of Oregon (the town of Astoria) via Vernonia. In Astoria, you can cross the mouth of the Columbia river on the bridge, then thread your way inland along a beautiful scenic route back on the Washington side of the river. If you want you can cross back over to the Oregon side on a local ferry then back to Portland through some of the most beautiful wooded areas around. I did that loop the opposite direction with my wife riding on the back and had a blast!

The Columbia Gorge is a must see, and the scenery around Mt. Hood is breathtaking. Lot's to see in Oregon! I'm afraid the difficult part will be deciding what not to take in.

Oh then there's the Mt. St. Helen's run in Washington. Some of the most spectacular volcanic explosion destruction still visible decades later.

 

[Red Alert]

I would say that a trip of this magnitude would be incomplete without a trip to Mount Ste. Helens. Truly a must see sight IMHO. And, its not all that far north of Portland area.

Ralph

 

[bygdawg]

Hey Dog!

Be sure to give us a holler when you make it up to Poteland! There's a great ride to the coast of Oregon (the town of Astoria) via Vernonia. In Astoria, you can cross the mouth of the Columbia river on the bridge, then thread your way inland along a beautiful scenic route back on the Washington side of the river. If you want you can cross back over to the Oregon side on a local ferry then back to Portland through some of the most beautiful wooded areas around. I did that loop the opposite direction with my wife riding on the back and had a blast!

The Columbia Gorge is a must see, and the scenery around Mt. Hood is breathtaking. Lot's to see in Oregon! I'm afraid the difficult part will be deciding what not to take in.

Oh then there's the Mt. St. Helen's run in Washington. Some of the most spectacular volcanic explosion destruction still visible decades later.

Will do. That sounds great. I have a friend that we will be staying with in Eugene, OR. We should have several days there to take everything in. I'm planning on this being a leisurely trip where we take in a ton of great landscapes.

 

[curmudgeon]

Suggestions for Washington:

Take highway 30 then 25 on the East side of Mt. Saint Helens. Nice twisty road.

504 from Castle Rock to the West side of Mt. Saint Helens

Canyon road 821 from Yakima to Ellensburg. Great twisty road, at the bottom of a canyon, along the Yakima river. Beautiful views.

Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park

Highway 2 over Stevens pass to Leavenworth. Leavenworth is a faux Bavarian village in a location that looks Switzerland.

Highway 20 over North Cascades. Spend the night in faux Western town of Winthrop on the East side.

Phil

 

[MAC_JD]

Suggestions for Washington:

Take highway 30 then 25 on the East side of Mt. Saint Helens. Nice twisty road.

504 from Castle Rock to the West side of Mt. Saint Helens

Canyon road 821 from Yakima to Ellensburg. Great twisty road, at the bottom of a canyon, along the Yakima river. Beautiful views.

Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park

Highway 2 over Stevens pass to Leavenworth. Leavenworth is a faux Bavarian village in a location that looks Switzerland.

Highway 20 over North Cascades. Spend the night in faux Western town of Winthrop on the East side.

Phil

Thanks!! Keep them coming guys!!!

BygDawg,

I'll have my laptop with me this weekend so you can check out and play with the route.

JD

 

[bygdawg]

Sounds good. We plan on being in Atlanta by 6:00 or so Friday night.

 

[MAC_JD]

Unfortunately I won't be in until late, 10-10:30.

JD

 

[bygdawg]

You want to try to meet up somewhere Sat. morning or just meet up at the show???

 

[KenBobPDX]

Hey Dawg,

I found a great website with a bunch of rides for the PNW.

I think he's the same guy that's published a book along the same lines. I picked it up at the local Honda dealership recently on recommendation from a friend.

Here's the link to the website: http://home.comcast.net/~kenhattan/fr_cover_index.html

The section on the figure 8 ride to the coast from PDX to Astoria is one part of the ride that I was describing earlier.

Enjoy!

 

[bygdawg]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[Putt]

Don't forget, if you go up Mt. Evans, when you come back down, take
103 towards Evergreen... 103 to 66 to 74, 74 to Evergreen... At Evergreen,
take 74 on to Morrison.. (Bear Creek road, great ride) Just East of
Morrison, you can pick up the 470 loop and head either back to Denver,
or South to Colorado Springs.

Putt..

 

[bygdawg]

Are you getting all of this James??? Ooops...I forgot...I think he's in South America somewhere. Watch out for the malaria!

 

[MAC_JD]

I'm getting it. Finally able to log in tonight. South America is the end of the month.

JD

 

[bygdawg]

Good deal. I just bought a new helmet, and I think the wife is down for a GPS for me before we head out. I'm looking hard at the Garmin 340C. The bike will go into the shop for a valve adjust and checkout in April or May, and I'll be putting a fresh front tire on. I just put the new BT021 on the rear. I'm hoping for 11,000 miles or so out of it, but we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[bygdawg]

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20011

Will this throw us off in June Phil?

 

[bygdawg]

Tick...tock...tick...tock... June 01 is fastly approaching.

 

[MAC_JD]

16 days until we kick off the Way Out West June Trip!

I have attached our route in MS STreets & Trips 2007. Please look at it and let me know how we can improve our route. Especially if we are riding right past something REALLY COOL (and don't know it is there).

I am taking my laptop so we will be poSTing from the road as we go. If we are going to be in your neck of the woods please come ride with us and show us the beST roads and places to eat!!!

We are definitely spending at leaST a couple of days in these cities and doing day rides: Phoenix, Portland and Boise.

If anyone has space we will trade beer for a garage for the ST's, Oh and maybe a couch or some floor space for us!! :capwin:

Thanks
JD

 

[bygdawg]

Mac...I can't pull up the file from the computer at the office, but did you recalculate the route to leave from New Albany, MS? I noticed that before it was starting us off somewhere near central MS. Also, it had us going across 10 through Dallas onto El Paso. We actually need to go to Memphis, TN and take 40 through AR and on over to Amarillo from there on 40. After that, we'll shoot on over and drop down to Gilbert. Also, the first version had us not taking US 101 for the Pacific Coast Hwy. Just a few thoughts. +1 on the free beer for accomodations. I might even share a motorcycle story or two. BTW, AL and Chris have been helping me with the route planning as has Number 9 and Jody. Thanks fellas.

 

[Mark]

snip
Amarillo from there on 40. After that, we'll shoot on over and drop down to Gilbert.
snip
Thanks fellas.

Here is a route that I rode back from the Kettle campground.

Mark