I am new to the PNW and am joining this get together... Anyone suggest a good route down from Seattle?
Couple of options...well more than a couple, but here's my choices. The big IF is what the weather is going to do this weekend. More specifically the snow level.
First choice: Make your way to Enumclaw, take 410 east around the back side of Rainier, south on 123 and back track on 12 to Randle. From Randle, south on 131 / NF25 (past St. Helens) and follow south to Carson in the Columbia River Gorge. Take SR14 east and you have your choice of crossing at Hood River or The Dalles. Continue wandering aimlessly on a twisty road to Maupin.
This way is fairly remote, riding through national forest with some marginal roads south of St. Helens and mountain passes to contend with. Will be slow in places, so get an early start. Someone from the Portland bunch can chime in and relay the condition of NF25 to Carson. I haven't been on it this year.
Second option if the snow level is too low. Take I-90 east to Toppenish and head south on 97. Detour #1, take 821 from Ellensburg to Selah... canyon road, fun, but low speed limit. As a detour, cut off at Goldendale and take 142 south / west to SR14. This follows the Klickitat river and is a nice ride w/o a lot of traffic.
Panman and I are leaving Friday if you're interested. Have fun and watch the snow level.
--G