Author Topic: Camping near border crossing on PCR  (Read 7171 times)

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Offline Bike Concierge

Camping near border crossing on PCR
« on: February 09, 2017, 12:13:55 pm »
Hi all-
I am leaving shortly for a ride through Washington combining the Pacific Coast Route and Washington Parks route- yes, I know I will get wet and cold.  This is the only time of year I get to do my own rides.

Anyway, my question. Can anyone reccomend camping options near the Canada/US border crossing on the Pacific Coast route?  I'm not looking to set any mileage records on this trip, so Vancouver to the border sounds like a good day, willing to stop a little sooner if needed.

Thanks!

Offline adventurepdx

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Re: Camping near border crossing on PCR
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2017, 01:24:41 pm »
Birch Bay State Park would be your best option. It's just a little under 10 miles south of Peace Arch:
http://parks.state.wa.us/170/Birch-Bay

Offline Damian

Re: Camping near border crossing on PCR
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2017, 03:15:45 pm »
Yep, Birch Bay State Park is your best bet. Very scenic spot on the shoreline, and should be very quiet this time of year. I don't know of anything nice on the north side of the broder. AFAIK, there's only a couple of privately run RV-type parks/campgrounds in the White Rock area, but if you're wanting to keep your first day mileage low, they could be worth a look.

Offline Bike Concierge

Re: Camping near border crossing on PCR
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2017, 09:07:20 pm »
Thanks to both of you for the input.  I found out later this afternoon that there is an issue with the train tracks, so I may not get north of Seattle on the Amtrak.  If they won't load my bike on the bus I may have to bail in Seattle, ride to Bellingham and connect to my route there.

Offline Damian

Re: Camping near border crossing on PCR
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2017, 11:30:27 am »
If you're arriving in Seattle by plane or train, you might want to check out Quick Shuttle www.quickcoach.com. They operate between SEA, downtown Seattle, and downtown Vancouver with a couple other stops along the way. Their web site doesn't say anything about carrying bikes (or not), but they run full-size coaches like Greyhound so it would be worth checking with them if the train tracks are still closed and you'd like to start in Vancouver.

Offline Bike Concierge

Re: Camping near border crossing on PCR
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2017, 11:35:43 am »
Communication today from Amtrak is basically "I can't get there from here", they cancelled to whole trip, not just north of Seattle.  I think I'm going to try this route again later in the year when the weather is a little better anyway.  Will do a route clsoer to home where I know the services in case things go completely sideways for me.  Semper Gumby- Always Flexible!

Offline adventurepdx

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Re: Camping near border crossing on PCR
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2017, 01:03:57 pm »
Thanks to both of you for the input.  I found out later this afternoon that there is an issue with the train tracks, so I may not get north of Seattle on the Amtrak.  If they won't load my bike on the bus I may have to bail in Seattle, ride to Bellingham and connect to my route there.

The tracks north of Portland are notorious in winter. There are two spots where the Cascades line hugs the Sound with steep slopes on the other side, one between Olympia and Tacoma, the other between Seattle and Everett. It's a fairly regular occurrence for the tracks to get covered in a landslide, and with how wet it was this week...There is a reroute they are working around the Tacoma area, but the Seattle-Everett section will still be prone to slides.

Have you checked BoltBus? It goes all the way to Vancouver, and they take bikes.