Taking a trip north on Hwy 97.

[Crazy]

I am taking a trip pulling a trailer to Bend, OR. I will be taking Hwy 97 off of I5. Does anyone know what the terrain is like? Does the route have steep climbs like I5 through the Siskiyous? From google maps, it seems pretty mild but that can be deceiving. I think there is a pass that is higher. I don't care about that as much as how steep the climb is. That's the part that causes the overheating.

I have taken the train north before and from what I can remember, it takes a similar route.

 

[Robin97396]

From the cali border it's about as flat as you could ask for. There are some mountains around K-falls, but the road is pretty much flat as it passes by those fly ridden lakes. There's a casino on this side of the border that's probably a pretty good meal stop.

 

[Crazy]

Cool. Thanks. So nothing bad like the Siskiyous in Southern Oregon crossing into California?

 

[cowlitzcoach]

From K-Falls to Bend US97 is relatively flat. The only hills are gentle ups and downs. It is only when you head over the mountains to I-5 that you will encounter any real hills.

US97 south of K-Falls is not as well known to me.

What I do remember is the grades are not as steep as those encountered along I-5. It is part of the reason why so many trucks run US97 instead of I-5, especially in the winter.

 

[Crazy]

Awesome. Thanks. I did find this vid on youtube that I thought was cool.

 

[Crazy]

I love US 97!!!

 

[CaptSquid]

You want flat? Try US 1 from Philly to Norfolk. That stretch of road makes Olive Oyle look like Dolly Parton!

 

[Robin97396]

That's a great bus road. Pretty flat out in the desert, lots of places to stop and oddball stuff to see. I get pine tree crazy after a while. It all looks the same.

 

[M1031A1]

CrazyCal,

Video link doesn't work. FYI.......

 

[Robin97396]

I watched it this morning.

 

[Timelord-SKO]

Playback on other websites (such as this one) is disabled. Have to go to Youtube to see it, apparently.

 

[cadillackid]

You want flat? Try US 1 from Philly to Norfolk. That stretch of road makes Olive Oyle look like Dolly Parton!

FLAT! is I-70 through Kansas...
-Christopher

 

[ol trunt]

CC, I did that trip from Ventura, Ca. all 1700 miles of it in two days (had to be back for a 12.5 hour shift at work as soon as I arrived home). What I do remember is that the hwy north of Redding is one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen. It is mountainous but not all that steep. Once you enter Oregon, all is flat and wet all the way to Bend. I went up there when I was hunting my shorty, Honeysuckle Rose, which I have now completed. Good luck on your travels and please share your pics! Jack

 

[Crazy]

CrazyCal,

Video link doesn't work. FYI.......

If you click the link in the yellow bar it works. The poster disabled some features.

 

[Crazy]

CC, I did that trip from Ventura, Ca. all 1700 miles of it in two days (had to be back for a 12.5 hour shift at work as soon as I arrived home). What I do remember is that the hwy north of Redding is one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen. It is mountainous but not all that steep. Once you enter Oregon, all is flat and wet all the way to Bend. I went up there when I was hunting my shorty, Honeysuckle Rose, which I have now completed. Good luck on your travels and please share your pics! Jack

I didn't take pictures. I have 1000 miles on the clock this morning. I took US 97 all the way to 84 with a detour to Prineville to pick up some 19.5 wheels and tires for the Excursion. Very beautiful country. Lots of it was at night. I did see one bald eagle perched on a log sticking out of a lake. I am heading south from Lakewood, WA now. I did see an antelope run across the road in front of me. At least that's what I think it was. That was near Bend. This will definitely be my route if I am pulling a trailer or in a bus.

 

[Stu & Filo. T]

Awesome. Thanks. I did find this vid on youtube that I thought was cool.

Back in the 80's I drove tractor trailers we ran 97 a lot during the winter months,some how I always ended up driving it at night, I think this is the first time I've seen it during daylight.