Huge_Requirement9200

Huge_Requirement9200 t1_jaq7jmw wrote

Reply to Western Washington territory, 1857 by BoazCorey

False dungeness cracked me up, then I saw the shape of dungeness spit and lost it.

It is also interesting that port crescent is one of the only named places on the north Olympic coast. It was once a booming little logging port. Now it is a private gated community next to a nice surf break.

Looks like they hadn't figured out dakobed quite yet. Such a hidden gem!

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Huge_Requirement9200 t1_iyx6zm7 wrote

Reply to Winter driving through the Cascades by belf_priest

Wet snow, but dry snow occurs. Hurricane ridge has a poma and a rope tow but endless backcountry if you're a competent backcountry traveler and navigator. PA has hotels. Your drive from PA to highway 2 will be dark and very rainy in all in likelihood.

You will need chains to fit your car, mandatory at national parks (hurricane ridge). Be reasonable driving the ridge, but don't go 15 mph. You will go from sea level to 5250' in about 40 mins so it will be a bit if a different drive for you if you are from the east coast.

Highway 2 can be really sketchy. Many bad accidents on that road. People drive like idiots on it. Get to Stevens really, really early for a parking spot on a weekend. Like 5 am early. Prepare for lines and an inadequately staffed resort. Give the finger to Vail while there for maximum effect. Idk about lodging, Leavenworth is maybe kind of somewhat close but expensive and tourist-ey.

90 then up to Wenatchee might be a good bet, but 2 is fairly reliable, if not traffic laden.

Alpental has some of the best terrain in the state if you hit it on a slow weekday. (I-90) but a terrifying nightmare on the weekends.

Mission is supposed to be rad and less crowded. Wenatchee is pretty.

Go to loup loup.

Avalanche conditions can and do close all of these roads throughout the winter.

Good luck

Edit: PA is really quite far for the tiniest amount of terrain. It is not worth it unless you and your buddy are experienced Backcountry skiers/boarders. I say buddy because you should not enter the backcountry alone. Realistically it takes 3 hours from here to Seattle if you miss a boat (common) or have to engage with Tacoma at all. Don't do what Google says and drive through Olympia. Take the Tacoma narrows bridge.

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