Route planning to the PNW

[DBBRanger]

We expect to join many of you PNW tugnuters in the San Juans this summer and am wondering if we should bypass Seattle congestion in order to get there. Coming from the SE (actually Colorado), I may take I90 to I405 and then north. We plan a stop at Denny Creek Campground with the "Boaterhome" so that is a positive for that route (I assume it's a positive except for the I90 noise). However, if I go Rt 97 out of Ellensburg and then Rt 2 into Everett, we'd bypass much of Seattle. The question is, is the traffic bad enough in Seattle to warrant the 2 mountain passes (4100 ft altitude) and single lane roads ? My trip planner says it is 45 minutes longer, but could Seattle traffic eat that up? Mountain passes don't bother me since I live among them, but I don't need to do it if it is not necessary.

Any words of wisdom?

Thanks

Doug

 

[jimschu]

You might think of launching at Olympia and miss all the bad traffic between Olympia and Marysville.
Added bonus---- more time in your tug.

Good luck

 

[jimschu]

Doug,
From Ellensburg I might suggest stay on I-90 Then north on 405 through Everett. The ideal time frame is 10 am
till about 2 pm.

 

[Spinner]

You might want to check Denny Creek Campground for suitability in maneuvering your rig. I haven't been there for years, but I recall narrow gravel lanes among trees.

 

[walldog]

I-90 to 405 to I-5 to Route 20 to Anacortes To Cap Sante. Pass through Seattle near noon. You will be able to launch and sleep on your boat in the water instead of struggling with an RV park. We ran that route in our motor home late April passing through Seattle at 4 PM. Stop and go till Marysville but no real problems. We were able to dry camp at Cap Sante over looking the marina with the best view of our trip from Texas. So if you go through Seattle between 10-2 as jimschu suggests, you will be fine. We towed our 27 through Seattle many times with no issues, just do not be in a hurry.

 

[DBBRanger]

You might think of launching at Olympia and miss all the bad traffic between Olympia and Marysville.
Added bonus---- more time in your tug.

Good luck

Thanks for the thought. This first time, I'll get to know the area. then the next time I'll know how to enjoy it more!

Doug,
From Ellensburg I might suggest stay on I-90 Then north on 405 through Everett. The ideal time frame is 10 am
till about 2 pm.

I'll do that. Thanks

You might want to check Denny Creek Campground for suitability in maneuvering your rig. I haven't been there for years, but I recall narrow gravel lanes among trees.

It seems from the comments posted that I found, people do take big rigs there - will check it out further.

I-90 to 405 to I-5 to Route 20 to Anacortes To Cap Sante. Pass through Seattle near noon. You will be able to launch and sleep on your boat in the water instead of struggling with an RV park. We ran that route in our motor home late April passing through Seattle at 4 PM. Stop and go till Marysville but no real problems. We were able to dry camp at Cap Sante over looking the marina with the best view of our trip from Texas. So if you go through Seattle between 10-2 as jimschu suggests, you will be fine. We towed our 27 through Seattle many times with no issues, just do not be in a hurry.

It will be about a 500 mile day to Denny Creek, so we'll have to finish up the next day. I'm also thinking of stopping at Larrabee State Park to reconnoiter Bellingham area (where I expect to put in) without dragging the boat around.

Thanks to all for your help.

Doug

 

[Hydraulicjump]

The Bellinham launch ramp is the best, period. Easy to put a tug in and out of the water, good extended parking, and easy access. There's even a Cutwater dealer right next to it. Just remember to ignore mother Google and take the truck route to the Marina. You will hate going through town with your rig. Go past Bellingham and get off at Meridian St. and head south, then right onto Squalicum Way. The launch ramp is real obvious and is a low stress affair.

And if you overnight there, walk into town. It is quaint, growing, and fun to cruise around in on a weekend (kind of dead on weeknights). If you are feeling adventurous, go to the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention. It's for all ages, but us old folks enjoyed it immensely.

More info than you needed. Enjoy the launch.

 

[Lenny and Louise]

We will make one more pitch for Swantown (Olympia). We launched there last year for the Rendezvous and had a great time. Clean wide docks. Good facilities. Excellent security for truck and trailer. Marina even dispatched a couple able and patient guys to help newbies get boat on trailer when we returned. We will be launching there again this year.

 

[wthron]

It's a real travel distance from Olympia....no problem if no time limits as Olympia has lots of places walking distance from Swantown. Denny Creek is tight for your rig....if get to that area might just as well go down mountain not to far and find a open business Lot to overnight on. Stick with I-90/405. Best, wayne

 

[DBBRanger]

Thanks to all for the help.....One more question. If I change my plans and come from the south on I5, should I get on I405 at Tukwila in order to bypass Seattle even if it is past 10AM?

Doug

 

[Auklet]

If you come from the south on I-5 you might as well stay there. Traffic through Seattle during non-rush hours is generally good. The between 10-2 rule is best. During the rush hours I-405 can be just as bad as I-5. Same rule applies for Olympia and Tacoma. Everett has a permanent slow-down but does keep moving. Generally it isn't as bad as it sounds at any time except on Friday, that is when there is a mad afternoon rush to get to the casino north of Marysville. Whatever the traffic is, it won't matter once you do get to the San Juans. If you need any help with places to go in the islands just ask. --- Cary

 

[djodenda]

Did I see you heading north on the 405 at about 4:30 PM yesterday?

And is that you parked in the lot of the hotel on the east side of the 5 freeway by the 526 interchange?

If so, welcome to the PNW and have a great trip.

 

[walldog]

If you come from the south on I-5 you might as well stay there. Traffic through Seattle during non-rush hours is generally good. The between 10-2 rule is best. During the rush hours I-405 can be just as bad as I-5. Same rule applies for Olympia and Tacoma. Everett has a permanent slow-down but does keep moving. Generally it isn't as bad as it sounds at any time except on Friday, that is when there is a mad afternoon rush to get to the casino north of Marysville. Whatever the traffic is, it won't matter once you do get to the San Juans. If you need any help with places to go in the islands just ask. --- Cary

Good advice, by the way there is a screaming deal on a R25 Classic at Anacortes around $85K. It looks really good Cary all bright and shiny, sad to see you selling.

 

[DBBRanger]

Did I see you heading north on the 405 at about 4:30 PM yesterday?

And is that you parked in the lot of the hotel on the east side of the 5 freeway by the 526 interchange?

If so, welcome to the PNW and have a great trip.

Nope, not us. We haven't left Colorado yet but are hoping for a great trip!

 

[gerlots]

If you should decide to pass through Ellensburg (on I-90, 2 hrs east of Seattle) You are welcome to spend the night at our place. We have 7 acres of turn around, and a R25 to park next to. We are heading out on the 13th to do the mid-sound with our R25. This would give me a chance to tune you in to places not to explore.
Randy
R25
Sunshine

 

[DBBRanger]

If you should decide to pass through Ellensburg (on I-90, 2 hrs east of Seattle) You are welcome to spend the night at our place. We have 7 acres of turn around, and a R25 to park next to. We are heading out on the 13th to do the mid-sound with our R25. This would give me a chance to tune you in to places not to explore.
Randy
R25
Sunshine

Randy,

Wow, thanks for the offer! Unfortunately we will be leaving after that and still do not know if we will be arriving from the SE or from the south. Would have loved to hear what you have to say. Instead, how about telling me about a fail safe anchorage in the San Juans to hide during bad weather or during the crazyness of the 4th of July? I promise I won't tell a soul about it - no one will know!

Thanks again!

Doug

 

[JamesTXSD]

Doug, the 4th of July can be crazy in the San Juans. I drive whale watch boats out of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, and have to navigate through the crowds around that holiday, especially at Roche. One place that is generally a quiet anchorage is Blind Bay, near the ferry landing on Shaw Island. Good protection from all wind but north (prevailing wind is south through southwest). You can take a dinghy to the small store at the ferry landing. Another well protected anchorage is Garrison Bay (south of Roche Harbor); you can dinghy in to visit English Camp and learn about the Pig War.

Fisherman's Bay (Lopez Island) has good protection, but gets crazy with boats due to the fireworks display there. Stuart Island has Reid and Prevost harbors that are good anchorages, but are popular places.

Or, you could just join in, plan well ahead, and get a slip in Friday Harbor. Friday Harbor (the town) is a good place to reprovision, eat at the various restaurants, and take a walking tour around town. 4th of July there is a big deal, with a parade, a rock band playing in the parking lot of the marina until dark, then fireworks. Yes, there will be revelers, but it isn't as rowdy as the holiday at Roche.

Another option: bring your passports and head north to the Canadian Gulf Islands.

For driving options, we have towed our boat up here several times (from south Texas). The word you get about the Seattle portion and timing is worth heeding; avoid rush hour times. We did the 2 lane route through Leavenworth this time (for something different) with our motorhome (pulling a cargo trailer). Don't be in a hurry, and there are occasional passing lanes.

The San Juans, and all the areas around it, are very special - great cruising to be had!

Jim B.

 

[bluebayou]

Great advice, Jim,
I second the vote for Blind Bay. Had several very quiet evenings there in early Summer,
Charles

 

[daviduphoff]

Thanks to all for the help.....One more question. If I change my plans and come from the south on I5, should I get on I405 at Tukwila in order to bypass Seattle even if it is past 10AM?

Doug

I almost prefer rush hour through Seattle. I-5 South of downtown Seattle has some horrible joints in the concrete. At 50 plus MPH the trailer jumps around a little. At 25 MPH its very smooth. I often tow with a 12' Camper on my truck and a tug. The 4000 pounds of camper doesn't help with the bounce even with airbags.

Avoid 405. I-5 is much easier to tow on. We have gone from Portland to Anacortes many, many times. I have never had a problem towing through Seattle. People let you merge and change lanes on I-5. On 405 my experience is the opposite. People on 405 are more worried about changing lanes and cutting you off in order to get to their exit.