Solo road trip to Oregon and Washington in numbers

Days of travel: 13
Nights spent in tent: 7
Miles driven: more than 2500
Total spent: $665
Gas expense: $144

Day 1 - Overnight in Sacramento HI Sacramento Hostel.

Day 2 - Overnight in Crater Lake National Park at Mazama Campground.

Day 3 - Morning visit to West Rim of Crater Lake. Overnight in Wyeth Campground, Cascade Locks, Oregon. 

Wyeth Camground

Day 4 - 2nd overnight in Wyeth Campground and hiking.

Finally some much needed hiking was done this day! First hike of the trip took place in Oneonta Gorge which culminates at Lower Oneonta Falls. It's an in-and-out trail that is 1.6 miles one way.  Although this hike is classified as "easy," there's a log jam to climb over that may be scary to those with bad footing and fear of heights.  Some of the logs are slippery or unstable.  Before reaching the falls, I had to walk through chest high frigid water with my day pack above my head.

Next hike was the Multnomah Falls Loop that starts at the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge.  Crowds of people will dwindle as you hike pass the Multnomah Falls Overlook.  The loops is about 5 miles with an elevation gain of 1600 feet.

Day 5 - Portland, Mount St. Helens, and overnight in Tacoma.

Mount St. Helens

Upon the recommendation of a friend, I spent the morning in SE Portland at Dapper & Wise for a morning latte and wifi.  I had lunch at Bollywood Theatre before heading out to Tacoma where my friend Nick offered to host me.

On the way to Tacoma, I did a random chai latte stop in the small town of Castle Rock at Vault Books and Brews.  I did another unplanned detour stop to see Mount St. Helens.

I arrived around 7 pm in Tacoma to meet up with my friend Nick who I met in Nepal this summer.  After having some food and drinks at a nearby pub, we headed out the city for some evening urban trek around the city.

Day 6 - Mount Rainier National Park and 2nd overnight in Tacoma. 

To avoid the anticipated crowds we drove out early to the Paradise Area where we started our first hike along the Alta Vista Trail to Deadhorse Trail.  We stopped at Glacier Vista before heading back.  Hoary Marmots were abundant along this trail.

Our 2nd hike was Pinnacle Peak, which is classified as a moderate to strenuous hike.  Many people end at the Saddle before returning while others continue upward to Pinnacle Peak for the 360 degree views of Mount Rainier, Adams, Hood, and St. Helens.

For lunch we went to the charming Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Company, housed in a caboose.

Forest Trail near Heart O' the Hills

Day 7 - Set up camp at Olympic National Park.

The drive from Tacoma to Olympic National Park was surprisingly short and pleasant - only 1.5 hours.  After getting some information at the Visitor Center, I set up camp at Heart O' the Hills Campground.  I squeezed in a hike at the nearby Forest Trail before relaxing the rest of the night.

Hurricane Trail Hill

Day 8 - 2nd Overnight at Heart O' the Hills Campground and hiking.  

More hiking to do! Completed the Hurricane Hill Trail and reached Sunrise Point.

Day 9 - Overnight at Sol Duc Campground, Olympic National Park and hiking.

Hiked to Marymere Falls, Mink Lake, Sol Duc Falls.

Mora Beach

Day 10 - Hiking in Mora Beach, Hall of Moss, Hoh Rainforest and 2nd overnight at Sol Duc Campground

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Day 11 - Maitripa College and overnight in Portland.

Day 12 - Long drive back home to Souther Cali; overnight at random rest stop near Redding.


Day 13 - Back home in Orange County finally!

Costs
I usually keep track of my expenses while I travel to help control my budget.  The table below was done on a spreadsheet.  The expenses recorded is not 100% accurate but is very close.