Here are a few wonderfully short Western U.S. road trips recommended by Douglas Orton, a Seattle photographer and author. Please scroll down to the adventure below or follow the blue links for more.

*ASTORIA, OREGON

*FIVE FERRY LOOP: SEATTLE, OLYMPIC PENINSULA, VICTORIA, SAN JUAN ISLANDS.

*NORTH CASCADES LOOP, WA

*PALOUSE COUNTRY, WA

*HELLS CANYON SCENIC BYWAY, ELKHORN DRIVE NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY LOOP, OREGON.

*OREGON SPRING LOOP, TULIPS! WATERFALLS! BEACHES!

*HIGH LAKES ROAD, WA, MOUNTAIN PEAKS AND LAKES.

*NORTH CASCADES LOOP, WA

*PALOUSE COUNTRY, WA

*COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE; OREGON, WASHINGTON LOOP.

*OLYMPIC PENINSULA LOOP, WA.

*VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., CANADA.

*OKANOGAN LOOP DRIVE.

*CURRENT EXHIBIT, ASSIGNMENT

High Lakes Road, Washington

Begin and end this trip in Randal, on SR 12 in the Washington Cascades. Approach eastbound from I-5 passing Mt. St. Helens or westbound from Yakima, passing Mt. Rainier National Park. Visit either, but this trip is about mountain lakes and some dynamite views of Mt. Adams. High Lakes Road, FR 2329, runs along a ridge line roughly between Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. After snow melt, reach it from Randal either all the way to Takhlakh Lake on FR 23 (route followed here) or via FR's 23, 21 and 56, then 2329 to Horseshoe Lake. It can be done in a day, yet deserves three or more. After Randal, there are no accomodations except camping and motor homes are not a great idea as a road that is RV passable this year may be ORV the next (as we found out). However, by staying in Randal or nearby, you can access each stop as a day trip. If you find yourself in the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River area, cross the river, follow the signs to Trout Lake then FR 23 on up to Takhalakh Lake. Remember, road condition in the Cascades changes year to year, so while usually OK in the family car, check conditions first.