Northern Tier States, Best time for trip

A couple factors to think about in your decision on when to visit out here. (1) Spring: Snow at the higher elevations...some Mt. passes are closed until late spring/early summer because of the snow pack (e.g. the N. Cascades Highway (WA-20) here normally does get plowed for opening until about Memorial Day, the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier NP is even later. Mt. Passes in CO, UT, etc. are at higher elevations than these two.) Snow pack in Washington Cascades is currently at 120% of a normal year. The main highways get plowed, but research campgrounds for snowpack and opening dates. (2) Autumn: Fires. Each year the summer fire season in the mountains out here and in the arid regions in between seem to get worse and last longer. Last September the day before were to leave home to pull our TT to West Glacier, the fire near their exploded and the entire region was evacuated. Needless to say, our plans changed immediately. The huge region between and including the Cascades to the Rockies is prime each year. The Olympic Mts. not so much so.