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RE: Utah's Big Five & Off-roading - Vehicles other than a Jeep?
I did the Shafer years ago in a S10 pickup - going up. No need for low range. Nor do I recall any special ground clearance issues. On the return drive I took Long Canyon down, and appreciated the low range braking. But I also drove Long down in a SUV using only brakes.
I also intended to take Burr in that SUV, but that was right after a major storm, and the stream crossing at Bullfrog was mud covered. Made the loop around through Capital Reef. I'd just camped at Hall's Crossing, and taken the ferry across. But last I read, that ferry wasn't running because Lake Powell was too low.
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paulj
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10/29/23 07:24pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Alaskan Marine Highway Experience?
According to the Marine Hwy, Gustavus is the gateway community for Glacier Bay. They have a run from Juneau, and one RV campground.
The boat is a smaller LeConte. Like most Ak boats it has side port and stern ramp.
Size constraints can be found at https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/02_010B.pdf
So it looks like you can get close enough to take day excursion boats (or plances). But be flexible on times, and be prepared to pay a lot for that size of RV.
If you aren't already planning on going down or up the inside passage (Washington - Junean - Haines or Skagway), a good alternative would be to cross Prince William Sound, Whittier to Valdez. That passes by tide water glaciers (but local excursions may be needed to get close), and can easily be part of a scenic loop of South Central Alaska (with Anchorage as 'base').
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paulj
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09/29/23 12:19pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Bandon to Medford
I wonder if those who dislike the part close to Bandon are actually talking about 42S, a shortcut at Coquille. That's narrower and curvier as it skirts the south side of the river valley.
Going further north to the actual junction of 101 and 42 might be better for a big RV. I've only done the south alternitive, but that was in a car. It's the kind of local road where you can stop at farm driveways for honorsystem fresh eggs.
My understanding is that 42 is one of easier roads across the costal mountains. You might have to go as far north as US20 to get something lower and straighter.
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paulj
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09/27/23 05:32pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Alaskan Marine Highway Experience?
MILEPOSTS has been the best paper reference for Alaska trips for years. Lots of ads, but also detailed, and generally upto date travel info.
I may be wrong on this, but don't think you can get to Glacier Bay by ferry. The state ferry runs from Haines and Skagway in the north to Juneau, and places south - evenually to Washington. Glacier Bay is not close to any town, nor on the way between any.
Nost visitors see Glacier Bay from Cruise ships, which start in Seattle or Vancouver. Mileposts (and local ads) should guide you to shorter excursions, by air or boat (as passengers) from the northern ferry towns.
A ferry that get's closer to tidewater glaciers crosses Prince William Sound, Whittier to Valdeze. There may also be local excusion boats from these towns.
Again, review Mileposts (or equivalent) before putting too much effort into planning your trip around Glacier Bay itself. Also check out the park's own web site, paying attention to dates it's expected to be open to boats, etc. If there's too much floating ice, boats won't be able to get anywhere close to the glaciers.
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paulj
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09/20/23 03:37pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Brookings to Medford
Currently google maps detours off 199 at Patrick Creek, taking a forest service road across the state border. I think there's a another thread about some fire closures here.
As far as Patrick Creek 199 is easy, following a broad river valley. Beyond there it, when open, the canyon becomes narrower, and the road curves more. Whether that's actually bad depends on your size and experience. 199 uses a tunnel to cross the top, so avoids the worst of climbs and curves.
A good alternative is go north to OR 42 doubles the miles, but with the current detour doesn't take too much longer. And no significan grades or difficult sections.
In Del Norte County, State Route 199 has 1-way traffic control with pilot cars leading traffic from Patrick's Creek to Collier Tunnel - Due to a wildfire - Expect 1 hour delays.
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paulj
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09/06/23 07:54pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Billings Montana to Great Falls via Neihart MT ?????
I drove 89 throug Neihart some 20 years ago. I thought it was a nice scenic interval in an otherwise flat and open route. But I was in a SUV, so can't say whether it's too steep/curvy for an RV. Google maps has tools to explore that yourself - zoom, streetview, even the bike routing gradients.
Routing progams don't choose by easiest - unless you have some sort of rv/truck option. Usually the choice is based on time - distance and estimated speed. Sometimes a mountainous route may have a slower estimated speed, but I think that's more based on road type than some sort curve or gradient measure. The route through via 89 is both longer and shorter.
Atleast on a full computer interface it's easy to explore alternative routes - just drag a point.
(The gradient option for bikes isn't much help here; it recommends something totally different, using a lots of local roads rather than the main highways.)
Kings Hill Scenic Byway
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paulj
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08/27/23 06:26pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Burns, OR to the coast
According to the official Oregon Tripcheck, only 242 is closed due to fires - any you don't want that with an RV anyways.
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paulj
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08/21/23 06:47pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Highway 89 in Utah
I have the eBook version (east/west combo) on my laptop and never plan a trip without it - especially in mountainous states:
The Mountain Directory
....
Rob
When people advertise the Mountain Directory for specific route questions, I wish they'd just post or summarize any relevant notices. For example on the 89/9 they might warn of a tunnel with height restrictions through Zion NP. Or grades on the alternative US 14 to Cedar City. Or lack of any notices for US89 itself.
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paulj
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08/17/23 12:03pm |
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RE: East glacier at Highway 49 to Two Medicines CG
464, Duck Lake Rd is the easy, straight and flat route from Browning to Babb and St Mary.
Years ago I stayed at the St Mary KOA in Sept without reservations.
I haven't driven it, but 49 between E Glacier and 89 appears to have zig-zaggy ridge crossing at the north end.
Yes, 89 is twisty enough to be tiring at the end of day even in a car. According to the state dot, they are finishing up widening and straightening some of this. It is the main road from the east into the park.
Google street view, the underpass on 49 right off of 2 is signed at 13', (12'8" in a newer photo)
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paulj
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07/28/23 11:55am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Hyw 199 from Grants Pass to Crescent City California
The highest point near the state border is a tunnel. Then the California side follows a major river, curvy but no significant grades. Just stay in your lane and give logging trucks and semis space. Closer to the coast you get into redwoods.
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paulj
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07/22/23 07:02pm |
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RE: Willamette Valley to Whidby Island
Living just north of Seattle, I like to make a loop on the Island. Using the Mukilteo ferry one way, and the Deception Pass route the other. Port Townsend is another option, but that ferry is smaller and not as frequent - and reservations are encouraged. But it does put you right into the middle of the Island.
So in part the choice depends on where on the island you are headed.
Yes, it is nice to avoid the urban freeway driving by leaving I5 at Olympia, but the Kitsap roads are mostly 2 lane, except around Silverdale.
If time matters, and you aren't aiming for the south part of the Island, staying on I5 (or 405) to WA20, and taking the northern non-ferry route probably is fastest.
Speaking of the north route, I often like to take the slightly slower and more scenic route via La Conner (with a meal in town).
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paulj
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07/20/23 04:53pm |
Roads and Routes
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