Looking for sage advice on driving route to Montana via Grand Coulee Washington

I am looking at routes to the June workshop in Condon Montana starting from the LAX airport [Los Angeles] and I am thinking about going to Dry Lake Washington first. http://www.parks.state.wa.us/Search?searchPhrase=Dry+Falls+Visitor+Center

Mapquest shows two routes, one up I-5 to Kalmath Falls ... and the other up US 395 through Nevada.

https://www.mapquest.com/directions...1/34875-park-lake-rd-ne-47.596892,-119.395531


Driving Directions from 1 World Way Los Angeles, CA to 34875 Park Lake Rd NE Coulee City, WA - MapQuest
Driving Directions from 1 World Way Los Angeles, CA to 34875 Park Lake Rd NE Coulee City, WA including road conditions, live traffic updates, and reviews of local businesses along the way.
www.mapquest.com


https://www.mapquest.com/directions...1/34875-park-lake-rd-ne-47.596892,-119.395531

Any thoughts about the most photographically interesting? I have been to Crater Lake National Park before so that is not on the bucket list while Lassen National Park could be.

Generally, the more easterly route should be better, An if you can, take 395 for longer in Nevada and Oregon, rather than 95 and then 395, as your route shows. I say "better" because southeast Oregon and nearby Nevada is quite remote and very dry, and has lots of playas (dry or ephemeral lakes). The lighting would probably have to be early or late for expansive views and nice detail in the lake beds. I have only driven through this area, from Idaho to the Klamath Falls area. I know I-5 as well. The north end of the Wallow Mountains are very scenic (Enterprise-Joseph, Oregon area). I spent a lot of time in the Wallowas mostly in winter, about 40 years ago, and again about 12 years ago. Route 12 through Idaho is gorgeous, but is twisty and slow on the eastern half of it.

Dry Lake or Dry Falls, Washington? Whoops, saw the link...Dry Falls. I have photographed there several times. Great place. Can be a bit toasty, but June will be fine. Last time I was there I was hauling an 8x10 way back by the dry falls in 110F. July, I believe during a heat spell.

The road between Dry Falls and Grand Coulee Dam is nice, too. Found a place where years of tin can have been dumped -- side road away from the lake.

When you get to Washington, you might consider going east of 395 on 12 and other small roads in SE Washington (Palouse Country) and make your way north.

Image: Umitilla Rock, Dry Falls, WA
8x10, platinum/palladium print

I am familiar with 395 up to Tahoe, and I tend to think that the eastern route will be more interesting.

My sage advice, stay on the pavement and outta the sage.

Gotta get Rosemary outta the sage in time!

Might want to duck through Death Valley since you are so close -- Hit 95 on the other side of Death Valley instead of using Hyw 6. Bloody hot, of course, but if there is a good moon, a night drive across would be awesome.

I have driven on Death Valley’s dirt roads many times but if the snow is gone and that is a big if this year, I would like to drive to the Patrarch Grove of bristlecones at 14,000 feet. That is the highest road in California.