Start Date for Lewis and Clark West to East

[Buddy_Hall]

Experienced folks;

I'm contemplating riding the Lewis and Clark from Astoria, OR to the eastern end.  What's a reasonable start date?  Could I start about May 1 or is that too early with regards to snow, road closures, winter weather?  I've ridden the Transam route through OR going West to East, but I had a much later start date.   Or, those of you have ridden it; should I ride it East to West instead?  Thanks for your input to help me plan,

Buddy Hall
www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/BuddyHall (Transam, 2015)
www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Heart_Attack (Western Express, 2017)

[jamawani]

On two occasions leaving from Astoria or just the orhter side of the river on June 1
I hit snow - once in the Cascades - once in the Bitterroots.
Snow in early June is not unusual in the Cascades and northern Rockies.
But the problem is - you end up in the Great Plains when it is baking.

The challenge going east to west is heavy rains and flood season.
For much of the Great Plains 50% of precipitation comes in May/June.
So you have the risk of big storms every afternoon - think Dorothy.
Snow melt can also cause significant flooding along the route in May/June
since the L&C follows the Missouri River east of the continental Divide.

A spring trip is always going to be a challenge -
And "spring" in the Rockies means June.
If it were me, I would wait until June 1 west to east.
East to west - maybe May 15 - but plan to get wet.

Ideal Time?
August thru Sept - west to east.

[Buddy_Hall]

Jamawani;

Thanks for the reply - that's excellent advice!

Buddy Hall