Latsok Loc: Recently moved to Washington State.

I will be part of a larger group of family and friends two-week tour of the NW (Washington State, Idaho, and Montana) natural wonders and national parks, followed by a swing through Canadian Rockies (mostly Banff/Calgary areas).
I've never been to any of these beautiful areas but read quite a bit about the natural wonders. Unfortunately, from a photographer's perspective, this seems like too large an area to cover in a very short time, and it will be hard to scout out optimal vistas for photography.
Nevertheless, I plan on stealing as much time as possible to veer off the main roads and away from crowds. I plan on sneaking off, armed only with my Nikon and a couple of lenses, and hopefully bring back some satisfactory digital memories.
I'm interested in soliciting any and all inputs from you, UHH experts, on where, at what time of day, and what vantage points would be "must see" along their trip. This will be in the second half of July, the season when the wild flowers are in full bloom, as -unfortunately- is the throngs of tourist season. Any help wil be greatly appreciated.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

That's way too much for 2 weeks. But if that's what your group is determined to do, the best way to cover it is to get on Google maps and plot out a course that takes you to the things you are most interested in. Try to stay in interesting places (camp or stay in B&B, inns, small lodges) rather than interstate accessible chain motels so you can at least grab some sunrise shots before everyone gets up and takes off.

The Audubon society has a good book about photographing national parks, by Tim Fitzharris, which has excellent info about the top photographic attractions in each park and how to photograph them. For Banff/Jasper and the Icefields Parkway that connects them, Darwin Wiggett's inexpensive ebooks are invaluable, they show you precisely how to find the most wonderful sites in that part of the Canadian Rockies.

Don't know where you're starting from but theoretically it might be possible to route up from Olympic NP through Rainier NP, then eastward through the Palouse into Idaho around Coer de Alene, northeast over into Montana to take in Glacier NP and sister park Waterton on the Canada side, then up the back road (22) to Banff then on up Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

One area you won't want to miss given the constraints of your trip is Icefields Parkway: you can pull off the road anywhere easily and safely and take amazing photographs 3 feet from your car that looked like you hiked for miles to find them.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I have had great luck when traveling to order some books ahead of time to help point me in the right direction. Got them from Amazon just search "photographing Idaho or Glacier" etc. and see what they offer. The ones I got for Utah and the Oregon coast were wonderful

bersharbp Loc: Texas

I once rented a motor home for 10 days just for Banff, Icefields, Jasper, etc., and thought it was too short. Every 20 degrees, of every 100 feet is another unbelievably fantastic view. I used to live in MT and did a lot of travewl and hiking in the parks of MT, WY, and Alberta; believe us when we tell you your time is much too short for the trip you have planned

Hacksaw Loc: Pacific Northwest

Have to agree that it's a lot to cover in just two weeks. Still not a bad itinerary if you're going solo or with one other person but with a large group......all the stops and starts and coordination. Solo or with one other, you have more control on where and when you want to be somewhere. Large groups will be like herding cats IMO. Still, it sounds like a great time to be had by all. Enjoy!

Latsok Loc: Recently moved to Washington State.

Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that time allocated for the trip is short, but looking at it from a positive side- I can use this trip to scout out areas to which I will need to return. From what I've gathered from most of you, Banff and the Icefield highway should be the highlights. I plan on ditching the crowd for at least one day to do my thing. I have a Nikon 18-55 mm, Nikon 70-300 (4.5-5.6) mm, and a much heavier Sigma 70-200 (1:2.8) lens with optical stabilizer. Which one(s) would serve me best?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I would opt for the wide angle and the long lens that is easier to manage handheld. The animals may be easy targets not far from the road, in fact you need to shoot some from the car for safety reasons. Others you can shoot through protective roadside fences (it's you, not them, who are fenced). I seldom had time to arrange a tripod with animals, mostly shot on the fly. Only once did I need the 300 length (wolf mom with pups). Tripod will be helpful for landscapes and you can set up right by the road on Icefields. Take the usual filters for your wide angle - polarizer, ND, grad ND.

the hiker Loc: San Diego

If you can see Lake Louise Hotel and hike to Morine Lake if time is limited shoot the pictures from in back of Hotel Lake Louise also Th e Baniff Hotel is a must stop. The town of Jasper and Jasper Natl. Park. I hope you have a great trip.Take lots of SD cards you will need them.

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

Knowing that you will be doing this you might want to send me a personal message with your email address so I can give you a lot of detail since I am local up here. I will be able to tell you some great spots for birding and a great National Park to go to also. I will make note of it here on the bird journal that I need to look up info for you of specifics. Due to how much rain we had pretty close between here and Fife in the Puyallup area along Pioneer Way you would have a great chance of getting to see Gr. Blue Herons up in their nests or down in the fields if you took a drive along there. Every great once in a while you can possible see a Bald Eagle down there too 'cause there is a huge nest down there too. This time of year the swallows will be making their nests out of mud down in the Nisqually-Delta area too. I have not been down there in the Summer time so not sure how much active they still are down there if you were to come that time of year. Due to the activity I have here in my own backyard the the Daddy Pileated bringing it's baby I do not like to go on field trips during the Summer. I don't want to make my message too lengthy but if you want more info just send me a personal message and I will tell you a few more things.