East to West

[Matt_F]

Traveling from Maryland to California, Oregon, Washington, possibly visiting a friend in Montana as well as some more states with my dog in a few days. Any tips, advice, places to camp, hike, check out would be awesome! I have a mini wood stove in the back of my truck that run out the side window so i'm not worried about the cold

Thanks!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

There are lots of places to suggest but this time of the year we are having a lot of rain/snow.
The desert spots would be good this time of year. The temps aren't hot and fewer people.Death Valley is always a great spot.
The northern tier of Yellowstone is open year round but might be problematic to get there.
The campground at Mammoth Springs is open,you would have to get there through the Gardner entrance.
The coastal spots of Ca. Or.Wa. have been hit pretty hard with the latest storms so check about open camps.
Make sure you have tire chains some states require them even with 4x4.
Frank

 

[Matt_F]

Right on thanks! Chains are the only thing I don't have, I have no experience with them, I'll probably end up buying some on the road

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Right on thanks! Chains are the only thing I don't have, I have no experience with them, I'll probably end up buying some on the road

Matt, my recommendation is to buy them at home, and learn how to put them on before needing them. If chains are required, and you don't have them on, you can be ticketed if you're caught driving. If you're involved in an accident, it goes down hill in a hurry.

 

[Matt_F]

Matt, my recommendation is to buy them at home, and learn how to put them on before needing them. If chains are required, and you don't have them on, you can be ticketed if you're caught driving. If you're involved in an accident, it goes down hill in a hurry.

Good call, I guess i'll get on that. Better safe than sorry

 

[DavidGraves]

Hi Matt

Where are you in Maryland ?...our home state for a while....Beltsville.

We moved to Oregon in 99 and have made the crossing many many many times.

I would strongly advise you to reconsider crossing the upper midwest at this time of year unless you only need to get somewhere.

There are so very many places you will miss.

There is so much potential of being tied to the Interstate and unending drudgery of endless truckstops....waking up at 14 degrees inside our van comes to mind.

Even crossing the southern tier of states is going to subject you to some high elevations and potential mighty rough weather.

Of course you may be seeking that sort of thing.

Travel safe.

DavidGraves

north Oregon coast

 

[Stalking Light]

The Palouse in Washington should be really pretty if they have some snow on the ground. If you are going to travel the coast I like it better going north to south since all the pullouts are on the right. CA and OR have some really nice state parks as well.

 

[Matt_F]

Hi Matt

Where are you in Maryland ?...our home state for a while....Beltsville.

We moved to Oregon in 99 and have made the crossing many many many times.

I would strongly advise you to reconsider crossing the upper midwest at this time of year unless you only need to get somewhere.

There are so very many places you will miss.

There is so much potential of being tied to the Interstate and unending drudgery of endless truckstops....waking up at 14 degrees inside our van comes to mind.

Even crossing the southern tier of states is going to subject you to some high elevations and potential mighty rough weather.

Of course you may be seeking that sort of thing.

Travel safe.

DavidGraves

north Oregon coast

I'm in the Ocean City area, I loved Oregon when I visited a couple years ago. Thanks for the advice! I love some wild weather conditions though haha

 

[Matt_F]

The Palouse in Washington should be really pretty if they have some snow on the ground. If you are going to travel the coast I like it better going north to south since all the pullouts are on the right. CA and OR have some really nice state parks as well.

Thanks! The plan is go south then up through central California, Oregon, Washington then jet over to Montana to see a friend then head back west to the Washington coast and drive that all the way down to San Diego

 

[Stalking Light]

On the way to southern CA I like to visit Big Bend, White Sands, then go across NM and see the VLA near Soccoro and hit the Mojave and Joshua tree before heading north.

 

[Cayuse]

The Palouse in Washington should be really pretty if they have some snow on the ground. If you are going to travel the coast I like it better going north to south since all the pullouts are on the right. CA and OR have some really nice state parks as well.

Right now there is lots of snow on the Palouse! Palouse Falls has had people ice climbing next to it, some of the roads have been drifted closed with 4-6' drifts taking county crews days to get reopened. Of course that all could change in the next week as the highs might start breaking 40 and some rains arrive.

 

[Stalking Light]

Right now there is lots of snow on the Palouse! Palouse Falls has had people ice climbing next to it, some of the roads have been drifted closed with 4-6' drifts taking county crews days to get reopened. Of course that all could change in the next week as the highs might start breaking 40 and some rains arrive.

I bet the drive up Steptoe is fun. Must be an amazing sight from there, though.

 

[Cayuse]

I bet the drive up Steptoe is fun. Must be an amazing sight from there, though.

Not sure the road is open right now. This is just a little ways north of there

 

[Stalking Light]

Neat.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Right on thanks! Chains are the only thing I don't have, I have no experience with them, I'll probably end up buying some on the road

Just a thought. Get them at a auto parts store like O'Reilly auto parts.
You don't want to have to buy them at the chain installer stops. Get some to fit your truck and just stash them in one of the turnbuckle holes,out of the way but handy if needed.
Frank

 

[billharr]

I have made the trip twice (west to east and back) when my daughter lived in Baltimore. Read over my trip reports below to see what we did, PM if you have any questions. My daughter bought chains at O'really's and returned them in Baltimore when she did not use them. CA will require chains way before other states.

First trip to the east coast.

Second trip to the east coast.

 

[Matt_F]

Right on appreciate all the info!

 

[FreezingMan]

I'm partial to the desert. The Alvord Desert & Steens Mountains in SE Oregon are quiet and amazing. If you come in late spring the Malheur Wildlife Refuge will come to life with birds. I suggest purchasing the Benchmark map books for each state you want to visit out West. Enjoy!!


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