MOUNT RAINIER

Day 1

PORTLAND

PORTLAND Arrive in Portland and take some time to explore the "City of Roses." Despite its humble beginnings as a lumbering center in 1845, the city has developed into a sophisticated metropolis. Visit the International Test Rose Gardens with its 400 varieties of roses on 4 acres of land and great views of the city. Sample haute couture and hot cuisine in Portland’s Pearl District. Walk around town and take in the atmosphere

Day 2

PORTLAND – MOUNT ST HELENS – MOUNT RAINIER – OLYMPIA (215 mi / 344 km)

Leave the state of Oregon behind and arrive at Mount St. Helens, site of the May 18, 1980 volcanic eruption. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Take time to explore and discover the power and the drama of this volcano. Your next stop is Mount Rainier, another active volcano encased in over 25 miles of snow and ice. Whether hiking on its flanks, climbing its summit, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on its slopes, camping along its glacier-fed rivers or photographing wildflower displays in sub alpine meadows, you will enjoy the grandeur and beauty of Mount Rainier. Continue to the Olympia, the quaint capital of Washington.

Day 3

OLYMPIA – PORT ANGELES (118 mi / 189 km)

Start at a terminus of the famous US-101 and travel along the eastern and northern borders of spectacular Olympic National Park to Port Angeles with the park and Mt Olympus to the south and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north. Or you have the option to leave Olympia traveling east to Tacoma and then north to see more of Puget Sound before merging onto US-101 to continue along Olympic National Park to Port Angeles.

Day 4

PORT ANGELES – OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – LAKE QUINAULT – SEASIDE (261 mi / 418 km)

Today's drive continues around the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park. The Olympic Peninsula is remarkable for its biodiversity and wildness, from the flora and fauna that exist only on the Peninsula, to the lush stands of temperate, old-growth rainforests, pristine lakes and wild Pacific coast. Continue around the south end of the park to Lake Quinault. Then head back over to the coastline, crossing the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria to Seaside.

Day 5	SEASIDE – NEWPORT – FLORENCE – COOS BAY (215 mi / 344 km)
Travel along the Oregon Coast today. The road winds by estuarine marshes, clings to seaside cliffs, passes through agricultural valleys and brushes against wind-sculpted dunes. Charming small towns, museums, state parks, overlooks, historic bridges and lighthouses ensure a delightful journey.

Day 6	COOS BAY – GRANTS PASS – MEDFORD (158 mi / 254 km)
Today, you will leave the Pacific coastline and head east through the Klamath Mountains and then south along the western side of the Cascade Mountains and into the Rogue River Valley. Stop in Grants Pass to see the historic downtown area before heading to Medford where you can take a tour of Harry and David's shop, America's foremost purveyor of gourmet food and fruit gifts.

Day 7

MEDFORD – CRATER LAKE – EUGENE (248 mi / 397 km)

Today, you will travel through beautiful southern Oregon, visiting the remarkable Crater Lake National Park. This is truly one of the world’s most striking geological features with its cobalt blue water surrounded by a ring of lush green spruce and fir. At 1,932 ft (589 m), it is the deepest lake in the United States. Once on the I-5, stop in Cottage Grove to tour the "Kissing Bridges." Continue to Eugene, where you can kick back and relax.

Day 8	EUGENE – SALEM – PORTLAND (110 mi / 176 km)
Drive through the fertile Willamette Valley, which is famous for its wine, its historic towns and covered bridges. Stop in Salem, Oregon's capitol city before returning to Portland. Last chance to savor the serene tranquility of this unique Northwestern city before departure.

Day 9	DEPARTURE