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How to get
here from the east
(e.g. Spokane)
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Take exit
277 of I-90 and head west on US-2
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At Wilbur
(about 65 miles from Spokane) you can chose to take the southern route (by
Dry Falls) or the northern route (by Grand Coulee Dam). We suggest Grand
Coulee which, in itself, can be an awesome sight.
If you
chose to take the northern route (by Grand Coulee):
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On the
west side of Wilbur, turn right onto WA-174 (watch for the Grand Coulee
sign) and follow 174 to Grand Coulee Dam. If convenient, spend the night at
a motel in Coulee Dam overlooking the Grand Coulee Dam and watch the great
laser show. Tours of the dam are available but only during 'normal business
hours'.
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From Grand
Coulee, continue west on WA-174 to its intersection with WA-17 (about 21
miles).
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Turn right
on WA-17 and follow it to its intersection with US-97 (about 25 miles).
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Bear left
on US-97 and follow it (southbound) to its split with US-97-Alt (about 25
miles).
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Bear right
and follow US-97-Alt driving through Chelan, to the Best Western Lakeside Lodge
(and Suites - can't forget that if you are traveling with children). It is
about 1.5 miles from where you crossed the little arm of the lake above the
dam.
If, at
Wilbur, you chose to take the southern route (by Dry Falls):
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Continue
(westbound) on US-2, crossing the Dry Falls Dam , to the intersection of
WA-17 South at Dry Falls Junction (about 30 miles).
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Here you
can take a short detour (south) on WA-17 to the Dry Falls Museum and
Overlook. Dry Falls is the geologic remains of an ancient waterfall -
believe to be the largest that ever existed on this earth - which was some
3.5 miles wide with a drop of about 380 to 400 feet.
"The Washington State
Parks and Recreation Commission constructed the Interpretive Center at Dry
Falls which houses exhibits and tells the story of the creation of this
geological phenomenon. The building overlooks the giant precipice and affords
a magnificent view through picture windows. The Grand Coulee, of which Dry
Falls is a central feature, has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark
by the U.S. Department of the Interior. A bronze plaque to this effect is
located in the small vista house adjacent to the parking area."
courtesy Washington
State Parks and Recreation Commission
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Return on WA-17 top US-2,
turn left on US-2 and then, about 1.6 miles to the west, turn right
following WA-17 (US-2 continues straight ahead to the west)
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Follow US-17 to
its intersection with US-97 (about 47 miles).
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Bear left
on US-97 and follow it (southbound) to its split with US-97-Alt (about 25
miles).
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Bear right
and follow US-97-Alt to Chelan and the Best Western Lakeside Lodge.
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Continue
on US-97-Alt, driving through Chelan, to the Best Western Lakeside Lodge
(and Suites - can't forget that if you are traveling with children). It is
about 1.5 miles from where you crossed the little arm of the lake above the
dam.
Is there a
shortcut?
Yes, there is
a significant shortcut from WA-17 to Chelan. We tried it and we liked it but,
for some reason, AAA "does not recommend it". Our AAA map wasn't great
but it was certainly adequate. (We urge you to always have maps of the area in
which you intend to travel. You can get state maps at the Visitors' Centers
where you enter each state. Better yet, you can write to the State Travel Bureau
(or what ever it may be named) and they will send you a travel packet - very,
very useful!)
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From the
junction of WA-172 at Sims Corner (which is 8 miles south of the
intersection of WA-174 and WA-17 - or 14 miles north of the junction of US-2
and WA-17) head west, past Mansfield, to the 'T' intersection (about 21
miles). Here, WA-17 makes a half-left (45º) bend but you can continue
straight,
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Continue
to a 4-way intersection (about 400 yards) and turn right on 'C Road NW'
(this is a county designation). Go north exactly 1 mile to another 4-way
intersection. Turn left and go west 2.25 miles to the intersection of McNeil
Canyon Road (on your right).
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Turn right
and follow it up the grade 0.9 miles to the fork with W Road. You take the
left fork (staying on McNeil Canyon Road).
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Now, after
a brief uphill crossing the pass, you will descend through McNeil Canyon to
the Columbia River and US-97 (about 7 miles from the fork).
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Turn right
following US-97 across the Columbia River bridge.
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Just on
the other side of the bridge, US-97 bends to the right (to follow the
Columbia River) and you will see WA-15 leading off to the left. Follow
WA-150, crossing the double tracks. 150 then bends left heading south for
about 0.5 miles where it turns back on itself to crawl up the cliff (giving
you a great view of the Columbia River gorge).
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WA-150
merges with US-97-Alt. You now follow US-97-Alt (southbound), through
Chelan, to the Best Western Lakeside Lodge (and Suites - can't forget that
if you are traveling with children). It is about 1.5 miles from where you
crossed the little arm of the lake above the dam.
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