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Route Planning

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Keith Oliver:
On Oct 25th, we plan to head south from Coquitlam BC, to El Centro California.  To alleviate boredom, we want to get off of I-5, so are looking at the following route:  I-5 to Portland or Salem, then over the hill to Bend, spend the night there.  97 to Klamath Falls, 139 to Carson city Nevada, spend the night in the vicinity, or south of CC.  395 to I-15, then Freeways to El Centro.
Some, or most, of the 139 and 395 is at high elevation.
Has anyone any first hand accounts of traveling this route at that time of year?  Is there likely to be any snow?  How is the road?  Is there anywhere to spend the night, south of Carson City?

Joel Ashley:
Snow usually comes to the High Desert in November, but is a possibility in October.  Metro Portland has few RV parks, except for one sizeable one in Troutdale to the east.  Some RV parks line I-5 in Southwest Washington.  There are good options in the Willamette Valley north of Salem, especially State Parks, but in all cases check in advance for seasonal closures.  

Staying at Troutdale gives you the option of heading over Mt. Hood's south corridor, Hwy 26, to Bend - and it gets you off I-5 sooner;  hit I-205 southbound north of Vancouver to work your way to Troutdale.  Or you might get on Washington Hwy 14 for a drive up the Columbia River's north shore to Maryhill, where there is a great state park on the river, then the next day cross the bridge there toward Bend.  

You could also go east to Hood River on I-84 and take Hwy 35 over the east side of Mt. Hood to 26 and to Bend, or hit Hwy 97 at the Dalles.  I used to go the Salem route to Bend regularly, mostly because I enjoy the Metolius River at Camp Sherman, east of Sisters, enroute.  But since I live close to it, I hit Highway 26 over Mt. Hood these days, to avoid the freeway altogether.  All roads mentioned are good and the scenery enjoyable, especially in the fall, and will appease your quest to get off I-5.

I'll let others speak to the south half of your route.  We may cross your path in Bend as we head home from our summer-long voyage.

Joel

Mandy Canales:
There are several nice campgrounds south of Carson City.  One is in Lee Vining right next to 395 but it is sort of small in the number of lots.  Another is in Bishop, CA called Brown's Town Campground and is rated quite high.  The one we stayed at in Lone Pine, CA is called Boulder Creek Campground and is quite nice.  Several of our Beaver friends have stayed there always when they travel on 395.
If you are on your way to El Centro you might consider coming over to Indio in January for the Western Area FMCA rally and our BAC lobster boil and security duties at the fairgrounds.  Also, consider the Quartzsite "Extravaganza" after the Indio event.  Both are fun rallies.  Check out the promos in the current issue of Beaver Tales.[size=14][/size] 8)

Joel Ashley:
An Edmonton area fellow we met in Banff National Park, driving an older Monterey, was asking us about the BAC, and I gave him some contact information and encouraged him to follow through.  He was telling us about Lone Pine, CA, also, and it was one of his favorite places to winter.  Apparently he can get off the beaten path somewhere around there, and his costs are minimal.  He never spends much on RV parks, so I doubt he frequents Boulder Creek Resort at $40+tax.  I recall him mentioning sojourns into Death Valley, so I imagine he found desert camping between there and Lone Pine.

Joel

Jerry Carr:
Hi if your looking for a great stop in Troutdale give this one a try we have stay here 4/5 times during the last 2 years http://sandyrv.com/ it's off exit 17 if your heading east they have a mini out let mall in walking distance. Some great shops and food ++ a martini bar!
you will be in great shape from here for a Goverment camp crossing heading to Bend plus its the short route.  The route you going is great but watch for an early snow, you can cut over at Klamath falls(on 97 to weed)  westward back to I-5 its a good route at grass lake is a nice small parking area.

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