Where in the US/Canada for the first week of July?

[neile]

I'm looking to go shooting landscapes somewhere with friends around the last week of June/first week of July. We're able to leave on Saturday, June 28th, and have to return by Wednesday, July 2nd.

Anywhere in the US or Canada, including Alaska or Hawaii, is fair game. Where would you go for this week? I'm struggling for ideas since it's the peak of summer travel so many our favourite spots will be overrun with tourists.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

Neil

[Joe Towner]

Since you're local (Seattle, Wa), head north to Banff.  It's on my to shoot list, the days are long and you can drive it.

[Peter McLennan]

Banff will be a zoo.

You're in Seattle?  Driving?   How many participants? 

If by car, I vote Vancouver - Whistler - Lillooet - Cache Creek - Vancouver.

As an alternate, or if you have time, Churn Creek Protected Area (west of Williams Lake) An extraordinary location that looks unlike anything else in BC.

[neile]

Driving is not a restriction. While it's true I'm in Seattle I can go anywhere in the contiguous US/Canada, plus Alaska. There will be 3-5 of us.

Neil

[elf]

I've been to Glacier National Park and Banff around the 4th of July and the roads were crowded, but not terribly so.  If you take any of the trails more than a 1/4th of a mile from the road, you'll not likely see many people.

I suspect you'll find the same is true for other national parks as well.

For the limited time available, I'd do something closer to home like chartering a boat out of Anacortes and spend the time touring the San Juans or the Inside Passage.

[neile]

Chartering a boat is an interesting idea, thanks elf!

Anyone else? I'm surprised no one's mentioned Palouse yet

Neil

[John Poirier]

Pangnirtung is nice in July.  Not too many problems with tour buses, and the kayaking is excellent.

[neile]

Ok, you win for most outlandish idea, John. How does one get there? And what are the photographic options?

Neil

[framah]

Come to the right coast and head on up to Maine!!!  Even tho there are tourists up here crowding Acadia Nat Park, there are other parts of Acadia that aren't on the island plus so much of the Downeast coast is just like Acadia but without the people!!

Don't forget about all of the cheap lobsters!!!  Fly into Bangor and then drive down to the coast.

Don't forget to stop into my store in Ellsworth and say hi on your way.

I almost forgot... the temps up here at that time of the year are just about perfect!!!

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Dagnabbit, Framah! I wuz hoping to keep Maine a secret.   

I'm from the deep south (i.e., Massachusetts), but the Maine coast is truly stunning. Acadia, too, but off-season.
Of course you can get the same lobsters in Boston, but at five times the Maine price.

[neile]

Good suggestion Farmah! Unfortunately one of my posse can no longer spare the weekend, so we're down to 3.5 days. We're gonna head to Palouse.

Neil