Driving to Seattle

[fastrock]

We have May 20th Alaskan cruise out of Pier 91. Driving from midwest expect to be in Seattle area May 18th. Was considering getting a hotel in Yakima and doing the Nat'l Park Hwy (Rt706) drive to Mt Rainier on May 19th. Seeking info from locals on road conditions in mid-May. Likelihood that NPS would have road open to Reflection Lakes, Paradise, Narada Falls & Christine Falls. Then turnaround and drive back to Yakima. Insight welcomed.

Edited February 11, 2014 by fastrock

[Gardyloo]

Of course you should check closer to the date, but there's typically 10+ feet of snow on the ground at Paradise on the first of June (currently 9' but the forecast is for more.) I frankly wouldn't expect the Stevens Canyon Road to be open, but even if it is, the lakes will be white on white.

 

The problem with MRNP in the spring is that if it's not snowing it's probably raining and/or socked in, making for a pretty unsatisfying experience, especially given the slow going.

 

Not knowing how familiar with the region you might be, or your planned route, my strong recommendation in lieu of Mount Rainier would be to travel to Seattle via the Columbia Gorge. In May the melting mountain snows really fill the many waterfalls along the Gorge walls, and if you want some mountain face-time, you can drive through the beautiful Hood River Valley to Mount Hood, where they'll still be skiing at Timberline Lodge.

 

It's a real twofer or three-fer or four-fer - the Gorge itself, the waterfalls, the valley full of orchards (maybe still some blossoms) and Mount Hood looming over it all.

 

Gorge -

 

 

Mt. Hood from Hood River Valley

 

 

Latourelle Falls -

 

 

Also don't forget to say hi to Herman the Sturgeon at the Bonneville hatchery.

Edited February 11, 2014 by Gardyloo

[JDinWA]

The National Park Service's spring 2013 memo projecting opening dates last year might be useful for you (although, of course, anything can change from one year to the next): http://www.mt-rainier.com/pdfs/Mt_Rainier_2013_Spring_Update.pdf

 

Just curious - why would you go back to Yakima on the 19th when your cruise is the 20th? Why not continue on to the Puget Sound area from Rainier and get a hotel in Seattle or SeaTac?

[fastrock]

Gardyloo - Thanks for the Columbia Gorge suggestion, we'll look into it.

JDinWA - wife and I are like steelheads, we like returning to where we came from. Not that we are from Yakima. But we prefer small towns over big cities, though we have lived in both. Actually our preference of base camps over nomadic travel is closer to our reasoning in returning to Yakima.

[Casagordita]

I agree with Gardyloo--the Columbia Gorge is a wonderful drive, and probably a better choice in May than Mount Rainier..

 

The town of Hood River is a great place to stop over--pretty area, with some good restaurants and pubs.

 

We stayed at the Vagabond Lodge, right on the river--great place, reasonably affordable and very comfortable. If you stay there, try to get a room in the very back (we had room 51). We went to sleep watching the lights of the trains on the far shore, and woke up to see the windsurfers zipping by out on the river.

[sherryf]

Gardyloo - Thanks for the Columbia Gorge suggestion, we'll look into it.

JDinWA - wife and I are like steelheads, we like returning to where we came from. Not that we are from Yakima. But we prefer small towns over big cities, though we have lived in both. Actually our preference of base camps over nomadic travel is closer to our reasoning in returning to Yakima.

 

Yakima has a sign claiming to be the "Palm Springs of Washington." Don't let them fool you. :rolleyes: There are much better places to stay, and it's not worth the time to backtrack to Yakima.

[Glaciers]

It's a real twofer or three-fer or four-fer - the Gorge itself, the waterfalls, the valley full of orchards (maybe still some blossoms) and Mount Hood looming over it all.

 

Gorge -

 

Wonderful photos. We're planning on doing the drive this summer on the way to my HS reunion. Really looking forward to it.