2026 DATES

Summer: Weather & What to Expect

• Peak dates — July-Oct dates fill up the quickest! Dates are FCFS.

• Avg precip — 7-10 days a month

• Avg temps — 60-90° at low-mid elev, 40-80° at high elev

• Best for — mountains, wildflowers, most variety of scenery, best conditions & weather

• Watch for — wildfire/air quality, lingering snowpack, closures, heat, cold temps at high elev

July

• FYI: FIFA World Cup comes to Seattle June 15-July 6. Travel and accommodations (especially in the city) may be very expensive and difficult to find.

• 🌲 July 7, 8 — Olympic — Lush, vibrant rainforest and alpine access with lingering snow; flexible coastal options in case of late melt at elevation.

• Peak wildflower season — mid-July thru mid-Aug

• 🌲 July 15 — North Cascades NP — Great alpine access and snowcapped peaks with blooms of wildflowers; North Cascades Hwy fully open by now. Great for the avid hiker looking for some real rugged wilderness.

• 🌲 July 28, 29 — Mt. Rainier NP OR Olympic — Mt. Rainier: Absolute peak wildflower bloom at Paradise & Sunrise; high elevation trails fully open, long daylight, dramatic backdrops. We’ve got a few hidden gems to avoid those crazy summer crowds. Olympic: Choose from mountain meadows, rainforests, glacial lakes, roaring rivers, or rugged coastlines—or have it all here on the peninsula where the mountains meet the coast!

August

• 🌲 August 4, 5 — Mt. Rainier— Absolute peak wildflower bloom at Paradise & Sunrise; high elevation trails fully open, long daylight, dramatic backdrops. We’ve got a few hidden gems to avoid those crazy summer crowds.

• 🌞 August11, 12, 13 — Olympic OR San Juan Islands — Choose from mountain meadows, rainforests, glacial lakes, roaring rivers, or rugged coastlines—or have it all here on the peninsula where the mountains meet the coast! Or, consider an island adventure in the beautiful San Juans.

• 🌞 August18, 19, 20 — Mt. Baker (Artist Point) OR Mt. Rainier — Offers alpine drama, iconic reflecting tarns, and open ridgelines during peak berry season; great for high-alpine lovers.

• 🌲 August 25, 26 — North Cascades OR Olympic — Cascades: Rugged ridgelines, remote alpine feel, and dramatic late-summer light—ideal for adventurous couples who want a sense of scale and solitude. Olympic: Mountain meadows, rainforests, glacial lakes, roaring rivers, or rugged coastlines—something for everyone!

• 🌞 August 25, 26, 27 — Mt. Baker (Artist Point) — Sweeping glacier views and classic alpine meadows. Great for couples craving bold, cinematic backdrops with easy accessibility, or hike into the wilderness for more seclusion!

Early September

• 🌞 September 1, 2, 3 — North Cascades — The final stretch of full alpine access before fall rolls in. Quiet trails, glacier-fed lakes, and that golden-toned light mark this as a fantastic early September adventure window.

• 🌞 September 9, 10 — Mt. Baker (Artist Point) — Mid-season clarity with early golds appearing. Berry season overlaps with early fall signs at elevation. Accessible sight-seeing or extended hikes—take your pick, this place has it all!

Fall & Winter: Weather & What to Expect

• Avg precip — 15-18 days a month, snow at high elev

• Avg temps — 30-50° at low-mid elev, 20-40° at high elev

• Best for — moody fall foliage, mountains, beaches, lower crowds & cooler weather

• Fall foliage timing — fall colors late Sep thru Oct, larch trees usually peak 1st or 2nd week of October in the North Cascades

• Limited access — many high elev alpine areas close after first snowfall, can be as early as October

• Watch for — precipitation, lingering wildfire season, road/trail closures, early snow

Late September

• 🌞 September 15 — North/Eastern Cascades & Mt. Rainier — Anywhere in the Cascades: Mt. Baker, North Cascades Hwy, Steven’s Pass, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, Mt. Rainier. A flexible week for fall beginnings in the alpine zone. From ridgelines to drier foothills, color starts to shift while access remains open.

• 🌲 September 22 — Central Cascades — A broad mix of mossy forest, early fall color, and transitional foliage.

Early October

• Larch season — typically 1st-2nd week of Oct in the North Cascades (NCNP, Okanogan-Wenatchee, Alpine Lakes)

• 🌲 October 6, 7 — North/Eastern Cascades — Perfectly timed for peak larch season at higher elevations. Brilliant golds under crisp skies. There is truly nowhere else we'd rather be for peak fall glory! (Hwy 2 Leavenworth/Teanaway up through Hwy-20 Okanogan-Wenatchee side)

• 🌲 October 13, 14 — North/Central Cascades OR Olympic — Peak lowland color in mossy forests or moody coastlines of the Olympic Peninsula, or brilliant golden larches of the North Cascades.