Alabama to Tetons then Washougal, WA

[user 28803]

My wife and I are making a fast/scenic trip from Alabama to SW Washington to visit friends. Hey, it's cheaper than flying and definitely more fun! Since our time is relatively limited, and this will be my wife's first longer mototrip, I don't want to get too ambitious.

WARNING: Slabbing involved

(which, being a weirdo, I enjoy as much as I do the twisties)

So, the plan is to haul a$$ from Alabama to Wyoming (likely Lander), stay the night and get some rest, then spend two days getting to Washougal, WA. I've decided to have two goals: Seeing the Grand Tetons (which neither of us has seen) and getting to Washougal at a decent hour. I'm thinking stay in Twin Falls overnight to break it up into good, not-too-long days for my wife.

Last two days map link

If there are other scenic roads we should consider, please let me know. Not so much twisties - we'll have long days and want to be able to take photos along the way. For this two-up trip I'm much more interested in nice scenery than twisty roads. My wife is indifferent where twisties are concerned - she just loves being on the bike and seeing beautiful scenery. But, I have to be honest, she likes the interstate too so she can catnap.

 

[GeorgiaRoller]

Jesse...send me your photos' of the Tetons when you get back. That's one place on my bucket list!!!

 

[user 28803]

Jesse...send me your photos' of the Tetons when you get back. That's one place on my bucket list!!!

You know I will, man

 

[user 28803]

While we're in Washougal I'll be taking a ride down around Mt Hood, too. The friends out there aren't riders and we'll be spending more time visiting than riding but I hope to do a couple of local-ish rides while we're there. They tend to be late sleepers and I'm an early riser so I'll likely take some morning rides.

 

[eg23232]

If your schedule allows, I suggest taking 26 instead of I84. Take 395 north from John Day then over to Heppner and from there you can cut to the Gorge or continue to Condon then north from there on 19 or 206 to the Dalles. Just as scenic is to take 19 north from 26 through Picture Gorge and the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds.

Or....take 26 past Mitchell to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument to check out the beautiful painted hills. Backtrack a couple of miles to 207 north to Fossil. From there continue north to Condon, or for more fun head to Shaniko on 218 and from there you can go 97 to the Gorge, or head towards Maupin then to the Gorge.

If you end up on the Wa side of 97, you can check out the Stonehenge Memorial at Maryhill. Or stay on the Oregon side from The Dalles and take a detour up the Columbia River Historic Highway to the Rowena curves and Rowena crest. You can cross at Hood River ($.75, steel grate bridge) or Bride of the Gods (toll, steel grate). No toll at The Dalles or I205.

 

[user 28803]

If your schedule allows, I suggest taking 26 instead of I84. Take 395 north from John Day then over to Heppner and from there you can cut to the Gorge or continue to Condon then north from there on 19 or 206 to the Dalles. Just as scenic is to take 19 north from 26 through Picture Gorge and the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds.
Or....take 26 past Mitchell to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument to check out the beautiful painted hills. Backtrack a couple of miles to 207 north to Fossil. From there continue north to Condon, or for more fun head to Shaniko on 218 and from there you can go 97 to the Gorge, or head towards Maupin then to the Gorge.

If you end up on the Wa side of 97, you can check out the Stonehenge Memorial at Maryhill. Or stay on the Oregon side from The Dalles and take a detour up the Columbia River Historic Highway to the Rowena curves and Rowena crest. You can cross at Hood River ($.75, steel grate bridge) or Bride of the Gods (toll, steel grate). No toll at The Dalles or I205.

I'll take a look at these roads and see if time will allow a bit of wiggle room. I do plan to stop at Stonehenge - I've been there but my wife hasn't. I planned to cross the river there and stay on the WA side the rest of the way. It's a nice road. We actually go to Washougal every August but we usually fly.

Thanks for the input!

 

[mikebike]

I have bicycled Route 26 ... awesome road ---- https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=55205&v=FY

You will love the Tetons https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=55205&v=FY

have a GREAT trip

 

[Auburn]

Since you are at Washougal, you might consider riding up to Mt. St Helens and visiting the Johnstone Ridge side. If your friends are interested, a car trip would work where you all can visit on the drive.

 

[user 28803]

Since you are at Washougal, you might consider riding up to Mt. St Helens and visiting the Johnstone Ridge side. If your friends are interested, a car trip would work where you all can visit on the drive.

I told my wife I want to ride up there one day we're there. I'm guessing it'll be on a Friday (Aug 9th) since I'll probably be riding around Mt Hood the day before. Whether my wife goes with me will depend on how she feels after 4 days on the bike.

 

[Mount Rainier]

You might consider heading west from Idaho Falls on 20 to Arco then southwest on 26/93 and pass through the edge of the Craters of the Moon National Monument to Twin Falls. Here Only adds 30 mins. Less if you push it a bit. After all, you will be in ID.

Keep Going!

 

[marcusorelius]

Last Septembers ride to grand tetons, awesome place

 

[user 28803]

Thanks for all the input, folks! Those Painted Hills are beautiful - a definite must see. We may very well revise the route from ID to WA to get by those hills!

 

[UHOH]

So, the plan is to haul a$$ from Alabama to Wyoming (likely Lander), stay the night and get some rest,

Wow. I couldn't do this.

That seems a too long first day, 2-up, in summer heat ... How many miles would that be?

 

[user 28803]

So, the plan is to haul a$$ from Alabama to Wyoming (likely Lander), stay the night and get some rest,

Wow. I couldn't do this.

That seems a too long first day, 2-up, in summer heat ... How many miles would that be?

Oh, heck no! We'll do that first leg in two and a half days, basically. Leave mid-day on a Saturday and get to Lander on Monday afternoon, more or less. It's about 1600 miles.

 

[Beamer Reamer]

What is an earthrooster I wonder? Could it be:

1. Of all the roosters in the world, there can only be the one big dog? The..."Earthrooster"
2. An ear throoster? No, doesn't make sense.
3. Someone who drops their CR250R rear knobby into a mud puddle and then opens the throttle?

Enjoy the trip, don't miss St. Helens, still pretty epic. That sucker went off in '80, but there a few spots that tell the tale.