Big Sur to Crater Lake...need route advice please!

[kvdv_imp]

Hi everyone!
My wife and I are looking forward to a great ride from Seattle down to Big Sur in September. I pretty much have the southbound route baked (we're riding the coast...woo hoo!), but I wanted us to head back north inland. That's where I need some help. I know that we'll want to swing through Crater Lake on our way home, and that per our schedule we have 4 days to get there upon leaving Big Sur. What I don't know is what the best route would be over those 4 days. By "best," my criteria is minimal or no interstate, great natural beauty as much as possible, decent lodging along the way (no camping - wife is along!), points of historical interest...that sort of thing.

So to any Cali natives or anyone else who knows the region well, if you had 4 days to ride from Big Sur to Crater Lake, what routes might you follow, or avoid, for that matter? Thanks so much!!

[kennyw]

Highway 97 from Mt Shasta into Oregon is a good route. You can reach Crater Lake from 97. I'm not familiar with the rest though.

[Pete Erickson_imp]

If you take I5 to Weed you can pick up Hwy 97 and it will take you north to Klamath Falls. Past K Falls on 97, take Hwy 62. It is about half way between Modoc Point and Chiloquin. 62 will take you to Crater Lake. You can stay on 62 until it meets Hwy 230. Take north 230 until it meets Hwy 138. Here you have a choice.

You can turn right on 138 and that will take you to 97. Head north on 97 until it meets Hwy 197. Take 197 north to The Dalles. At The Dalles you can take either I84 or cross over the Columbia and Washington Hwy 14 west to I5. Or you can take Hwy 14 east until it meets Hwy 97. Take 97 north until it meets I82. Take I82 until it meets I90. Then take I90 west.

If you turn left at the 230/138 intersection continue west on 138 until it meets I5 at Roseburg, Or.

If you have the time, I would recommend the first option. If you are traveling after Labor Day, should not have a problem finding a place to stay.

Day one? Big Sur to Weed on I5 is about 420 miles. Day 2. Weed to Crater Lake on 97 is about 140 miles. Day 3. You could spend another half day at Crater Lake, then ride to The Dalles about 240 miles. Day 4. If you take the Hwy 97 option out of The Dalles, it is about 250 miles to Seattle.

[4 Paws_imp]

Sounds like a great trip, we expect pictures.

[the Ferret]

All I know is my wife and I loved the Cali coast.. In the north from Oregon to Bodego Bay Cali and in the south from Morrow Bay to Monterey. Awesome place to ride.