American West Photo Tour

[kforde]

Okay, so here is the scenario. My wife and I are teachers leaving the summers pretty much wide open. We are hoping to do a decent road trip down the Oregon coast, into California (Yosemite) and the possibly back up through Crater lake national park and on to home in BC Canada.

I was thinking this would be a great place to start asking for some itinerary advice. We will be driving and camping/B&B for it so are pretty open to diversions from the main roads and any decent overnight hikes and would like to hear any must-see spots that would be quieter then the highway pullouts! We have anywhere from 10-16 days in late July/early August to do it and are just in the intial stages of planning so any and all suggestions will be welcome.

Many thanks in advance, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Cheers,
Ken

[kforde]

Nothing, nothing at all?

[sparker1]

You seem to already have laid out your trip, and it sounds fine. I have spent lots of time in those areas in a motorhome, but you might like different things. I would make a loop that goes south along highway 101. The Olympic peninsula is great, the Oregon & N. California coasts are also great. Lots of campgrounds, but also lots of campers. Oregon state parks are good. After Yosemite, return through Lassen NP, Crater Lake, through the Columbia River Gorge, Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier, Seattle area, and home. Good luck for doing this in 16 days. You will have to pick and choose the things you like. I could spend 16 days around Yosemite, or Mt Rainier, or Oregon caost, etc. Have fun, but remember you can always come back, so don't rush too much.

Check out my gallery for ideas of places to go. It's organized by state.

[rdenney]

You can hardly go wrong anywhere you might stop on that itinerary in terms of images.

I've traveled a similar itinerary in a Vanagon, camping wherever. When visiting Crater Lake, we camped at Diamond Lake, which is a bit north of there, and then stayed in a hotel in Bend afterwards. On the Oregon coast, we stayed in whatever RV park we could find and they all seemed excellent.

Diamond Lake:


Crater Lake:


The Oregon Coast (in this case, but not in any way uniquely, Pacific City):


Don't forget some other spots near your route:

Mount St. Helens:


The mouth of the Columbia River, including:

The North Head Lighthouse:


Altoona:


And Yosemite is in a class by itself, with the caveat that it has been done, a lot, and it's hard to see it with your own eyes instead of those of Ansel Adams.

Rick "thinking this is an itinerary that favors making it up as you go" Denney

[kforde]

These are all great ideas, thanks a lot! Have to say I would very very happy if I ever "see" with anything close to what Ansel Adams did! Thanks for reminding me of Mt St Helens, will have to see that for sure. Actually considering a slight detour East into Glacier National Park. Would love to see the Rockies and/or Teton's but don't think in this time frame hitting the coast and getting that far inland would let me spend enough time at either to do them justice. Any suggestions for finding decent sea stacks along the Oregon coast, I know they are everywhere but would like to see some that are off the beaten track a bit with very low traffic. Thanks again! kf

[sparker1]

Nothing along the Oregon coast is off the beaten track. It is a very popular place during summer. Cannon Beach has some good ones, but you won't be alone. Maybe along the Washington coast you might have less traffic, but I don't remember sea stacks.

[MadisonPhotography]

I spend three days in Monument Valley in late February...almost had the park to myself. Met a tribal elder one day and we just talked and talked....I asked him about getting into the park early and he never answered the question...until we were about to depart..he simply said, "meet me here at 5am"...I did....he came with a thermos of coffee and shared stories of growing up in the park and being a young boy when John Ford made his films...

I stayed at Gouldings and loved it. Clean, friendly and everything I needed, especially good breakfast sandwiches at Goulding's gas station....

I also went to the Navajo Monument Visitor's Center...a really nice place with no crowds. Did a long hike to ruins...was worth it.

I agree with other posts, Sedona is a place worth visiting. I stayed at the Kokopelli Lodge....a little out of town but on the main drag...clean with amazing Japanese mattresses...take Nesbitt Road for some great views..

Taking Hwy 89 out of Sedona and through the canyons is a great drive...make sure you take the Hwy 89A loop through the pubelos...one of the few areas where one can walk on and into the actual buildings....not many people go that way because all are in in hurry to get to the Grand Canyon...there is is really nice visitor's center in Flagstaff that will have all the info...and buy a National Parks Pass (not good at Monument Valley, not a national park)...best deal going..

If you are near Las Vegas make sure to get to Valley of Fire and Red Rocks Canyon...Willow Springs Ranch is just down the road from Red Rocks and little visited...

Death Valley is also amazing...I took a look up to Leadfield ghost town...little rough but my Subaru outback (rental) was fine...so many places to visit..just send me a pm is you have questions....

Nick

http://web.me.com/nkovacs

[Stebel]

While in Yosemite area dont forget to stop by Bodie, Mono lake nad most important beautifull Lake Tahoe.