Washington
 Spider Meadow, Glacier Peak Wilderness, around the first of July. The same named glacier at the head of this valley remains Mrs. Frog’s favorite place. Visit Leavenworth after your pack.
In the Cascades you get spectacular pockets of mountain vistas in a nearly rain forest setting. Ice and fire. Volcano and glacier. Run over with marmot (some people will try to name each animal near your camp). There are dozens of possibilities especially in the northern and central Cascades. You will earn your views.
You will generally stay at breathable altitudes, but only the unitiated make the invalid “Colorado presumption”. This country is strictly top drawer.  Expect to start low and pick up two to four thousand feet quickly. Some stretches of the Pacifc Crest Trail (PCT), for example south of Glacier Peak, offer unobstructed views for long stretches. Usually, you are in face slapping woods.
We love the Cascades, from northern California’s Mt. Shasta on up into Canada.Â
Go into the Olympics if you get the chance, although you are challenged by a short dry season (July and August, otherwise you get gray mist much of the time) and big crowds. Try to get into the High Lakes basin, up the Soleduc, or somewhere off Grand Ridge.
On the Pacific Crest Trail, near Glacier Peak