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Road Trip Planning: Placerville to Seattle

  • Writer: Kristin Jones
    Kristin Jones
  • Jun 10, 2020
  • 3 min read

Next week, I'm planning to hit the road from Placerville, California and eventually end up in Seattle, Washington with adventures along the way. I was hoping to be driving my brother's RV by now but it's under full remodel due to water damage and we are currently taking the roof off.

Rooftop of an RV with the equipment and roof covering removed.
Rooftop RV Renovation

Instead, I decided to invest in my freedom and future and purchased a used Toyota 4Runner that I could tow a small travel trailer with eventually and will be able to get to any trail head and car camp in if needed. Totally thrilled with this beautiful beast.

A Red 2017 Toyota 4Runner Off Road SUV
2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD

Now that I've got the wheels to hit the road, and the trails and cities are starting to open up again I've started planning my itinerary. I'm a spreadsheet nerd so below is a snapshot of my plans to make my way up to Seattle in time for my best friend's birthday. My goal is to spend as much time adventuring as I can and attempt to summit some of my favorite peaks along the way. As I head up I-5 I'm hoping to hit the following highlights:

  • Mount Shasta Summit A 14er, that I'm considering if the weather conditions are perfect and more successful trail reports come in over the next week

  • Crater Lake, Oregon This lake has always been on my bucket list but the weather window is narrow and it's a bit off the beaten path, but if the roads are open when I'm heading North, at a minimum I will be stopping by for photos.

  • Mount Saint Helens Summit I grew up with this mountain in my backyard and didn't realize you could climb it until my early 30s. I've now secured a summit permit and, weather depending, I should finally be able to knock this out.

  • Mount Adams Summit After having summited Mount Rainier and hiking to Camp Muir multiple times, Mt Adams has always beckoned me from the distance with its similar appearances to Rainier but only over 12,276 feet and without the crevasse risks.

  • Camp Muir Base Camp It's been 2 years since I was last at Camp Muir - since I was living in the UK last summer - and I'm craving the snowfield and sliding back down. Muir is one of my favorite hikes still, and on a clear day the views of all the peaks (Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Hood and all the shorter ones I can't name) make it always worth it.

Screenshot of a spreadsheet with locations and travel times and distances.
Placerville to Seattle Itinerary

And then I'll finally get back to my hometown, Seattle in July where I can't wait to hug my friends. And I'll get to support some of my favorite local shops and restaurants that have been starting to open up again.


As I travel outside of my little country bubble I've been living in, I will be limiting my germ exposure with stocking up on easy prep food items/cold soak options, lots of hand sanitizer for bathroom, gas station and snack stops, and always carrying a mask with me.


I'm looking forward to a change of pace, but I'm also anxious about leaving the security and stability my family have given me since I came back from the UK in March. But it is time to step out side of that comfort zone and attempt to adventure independently and have time to reflect on my present and future. It's time to show up and be unstoppable.



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