Northwest Tour Loop - 2012

[riverguy9]

Hello All--

I'm planning a Northwest US tour loop for mid-July. Here's a map of my proposed route, ridden counterclockwise from Grass Valley, in N. Calif.



Looking for input: In segments A or B, are there any "not-to-be-missed" attractions that I should include in my itinerary?

Some unpaved sections are welcome. Will be on my F800GS.

I'm sure that some of you will have suggestions to help make this a stellar trip. Thanks in advance!

Greg

-------
sequence:
Grass Valley, CA
Wells, NV
Yellowstone
Missoula
Spokane
Coulee Dam
Dry Falls / Scablands
South to Kennewick via (mostly) Hwy 17
West along the Columbia River gorge on Hwy 30
Option C: South via Bend to Crater Lake, mostly via Hwy 97
Grants Pass via Hwys 62, 234 and I-5
Gold beach via ?? or possibly US199 to Crescent City, CA
South on coast Hwy 1 to Ft Bragg (yes, Winter in July expected. Stupid ocean. )
East on Hwy 20 east back to Grass Valley

[lakemaker]

You're going to see some incredible scenery. I've been to most of those places.

How many miles do you figure?

[riverbound51]

That looks like a nice ride. Have you figured out how long it will take to ride this route?

[Twisted Trader]

When we last went to Yellowstone, we went thru Jackpot Nv and Twin Falls just to see Craters of the Moon National Monument. The casino in Jackpot was good for an inexpensive Motel and a good low cost buffet at the casino. The Falls in Twin Falls were spectacular, and The Craters of the Moon was desolate, but beautiful in its naked beauty. The other great part is you will be able to stay off the interstates. Check out my post on Yellowstone, and you will see some more pics of Johnny O, and a few pics of Yellowstone. Since I do like to stay off the interstate, I prefer Hiway 50 traveling across Nevada. Enjoy your adventure.

[Tom Hert]

Segment B: In lieu of Missoula to Spokane to Kenniwick I would suggest LOLO PASS which is Hwy 12 between Missoula, Mt and Lewiston, ID. This 217 miles of twistys along the clearwater river is rated one of the 10 best MC roads in the nation. You're planned route on I-90 is pretty but does not compare.

Tom

[JCZ]

Hot going across Nevada. I suggest turning north at Wells, Nv. and go up to Twin Falls then east to Idaho Falls where you'd take the turn to go up over Teton Pass and into Jackson Hole.

Pocatello, Idaho has a nice Super 8. My review and photos... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Wyoming.html

In Jackson, the Miller Park Lodge is across the street from Miller Park and two short blocks to the town square.....where all the night life is at. Here's my review and photos of MPL.... http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

As you leave Jackson Hole and pass the Grand Tetons and enter Yellowstone, I strongly suggest doing at least the loop (stopping by Old Faithful and the Lodge) and riding out the east entrance to Cody, Wy just across the state line. My review and some photos (not great but basic nights lodging and one of the more affordable places in town)...... http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...y_Wyoming.html

From Cody head north to Chief Joseph Hwy. and on up and over the top to Bear Tooth Pass and into Red Lodge, Mont. In my humble opinion.....probably the number one motorcycle road that I've ever ridden (I've been ocean to ocean, all the way to Key West, western Canada and western Mexico) on the North American continent.....with the Million Doller Highway in Colorado a close second. Others may not agree....just my .02 worth.

From Red Lodge you can head back west towards your original route. Just some suggestions of course but your route is laid out very close to some world class riding and just want to be sure that you're aware of that.

You can view my ride report of this route by clicking on this link..... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=54514.0

[demenshea]

Originally Posted by JCZ

You can view my ride report of this route by clicking on this link..... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=54514.0

Wow JCZ those are some awesome photos!! You certainly covered the territory.

I did much of this loop last summer with Notarian and it was amazing. The not to miss loop to me is Beartooth Hwy and then over to Chief Joseph Hwy. Those two roads were worth the entire trip and that doesn't even count the area through the Sawtooth Mountains with is also breathtaking. I believe Note and I tagged teamed a pretty good post here, though some of your route, though ultimately we went farther north.

I believe you will have an absolutely AWESOME ride, period!

[bosozoku]

For your "C" section, if you've got the time I'd suggest taking an extra day or three to ride from Portland to the coast, and a better back-road option would be to head south from PDX to Detroit, then take OR22 and OR126 further south for a side trip up McKenzie Pass. After that, it's too many ways to meander over to the coast, and Crater Lake would be an easy addition. If you want gnarly, Bear Camp Road would be an excellent final leg to the beach.

Did I mention our covered bridges?.

So many roads, nowhere near enough time.





McKenzie Pass, in July...

[Cros-V]

A couple of suggestions...Crowne Point in the Gorge, on the Oregon, side offers spectacular views and the road should have plenty of waterfalls to look at. Also if you have never ridden Hwy. 36 from Eureka to Redbluff, it is 140 miles of motorcycling nirvana and an experience of a lifetime. You could continue on Hwy 36 to Lake Almanor and then Hwy. 87 towards home. While headed to Lake Almanor a detour to Mt. Lassen would offer some great photos.

[martys]

Originally Posted by JCZ

Hot going across Nevada. I suggest turning north at Wells, Nv. and go up to Twin Falls then east to Idaho Falls where you'd take the turn to go up over Teton Pass and into Jackson Hole.

Pocatello, Idaho has a nice Super 8. My review and photos... http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Wyoming.html

In Jackson, the Miller Park Lodge is across the street from Miller Park and two short blocks to the town square.....where all the night life is at. Here's my review and photos of MPL.... http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

As you leave Jackson Hole and pass the Grand Tetons and enter Yellowstone, I strongly suggest doing at least the loop (stopping by Old Faithful and the Lodge) and riding out the east entrance to Cody, Wy just across the state line. My review and some photos (not great but basic nights lodging and one of the more affordable places in town)...... http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...y_Wyoming.html

From Cody head north to Chief Joseph Hwy. and on up and over the top to Bear Tooth Pass and into Red Lodge, Mont. In my humble opinion.....probably the number one motorcycle road that I've ever ridden (I've been ocean to ocean, all the way to Key West, western Canada and western Mexico) on the North American continent.....with the Million Doller Highway in Colorado a close second. Others may not agree....just my .02 worth.

From Red Lodge you can head back west towards your original route. Just some suggestions of course but your route is laid out very close to some world class riding and just want to be sure that you're aware of that.

You can view my ride report of this route by clicking on this link..... http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=54514.0

everything in this response is great advice. the route as posted goes through some really pretty country, but you've chosen some really mediocre roads. The Oregon coast is beautiful, but not for half the length of the state. Check out the OregonMotorcyclist for some good road reviews. nwbikers.com has great reviews of Washington roads as well.

Originally Posted by bosozoku

...
For your "C" section, if you've got the time I'd suggest taking an extra day or three to ride from Portland to the coast, and a better back-road option would be to head south from PDX to Detroit, then take OR22 and OR126 further south for a side trip up McKenzie Pass. After that, it's too many ways to meander over to the coast, and Crater Lake would be an easy addition. If you want gnarly, Bear Camp Road would be an excellent final leg to the beach.

Did I mention our covered bridges?.

So many roads, nowhere near enough time.

this is also great advice for traversing Oregon north to south. as I said, the coast is pretty, but in July traffic will be heavy through the coastal communities. inland roads are *much* better for riding. and speaking of covered bridges, there's a great one in Westfir at the end of the Aufderheide Memorial Drive (FR 19) starting from McKenzie Hwy.

And in northern California you need to get into the Trinity Alps or around Rt 96 down to 299. From there you can find your way home :-)