If you’re an experienced driver in mountain passes with AWD, winter tires/chains, and prepared to get stuck in winter weather, I’d say go for it but staying on I-5 or the coast, do not try cutting across until the Columbia River.

If you don’t have these things, and experience to go with it, please consider flying or waiting until May.

I’m not remotely joking. I grew up in PNW and have had close friends and neighbors in mountain rescue, family lived in Olympics. Mountains on the West Coast are no joke. It’s officially winter in the mountains and passes. With temperatures dropping, folks are hoping we’ll get enough snow for an early season in Whistler, BC if not the Cascades. This isn’t a good time to go hiking in the mountains unless you are honestly prepared and experienced in wet, freezing conditions.

If you want to fly up this time of year, you can visit the Seattle Area and drive out to the coast but it’s darn cold and wet, dark early, sunset is at 4:40 pm tomorrow. Lots to do and see, just not a quick hike in the mountains, that’s for summer because it’s dark, wet, and cold.