where in the US should I go backpacking?

[Tijos1]

where in the US should I go backpacking?
I have $500 dollars worth of plane tickets because I took a later flight on a previous occasion so I have free air fare that expires at the end of the summer.
I need to do some backpacking this summer since I am taking 12 units of college credit during the summer term and my schedule is all booked up except for the last two weeks of summer. During those last two weeks I plan to go backpacking but I don't know where to go.
What I have been thinking is Portland Oregon for the beer and backpacking, or New York for backpacking and visiting the city.
Does anyone have any great ideas of where to go? I live in SoCal so I want to go someplace other than the desert.

[phydeux]

$500 in airline script, but any extra cash to spend, too? Why not look into the White Mtns in New Hampshire. Not high altitude, but a great East Coast hiking spot. If you're in shape you could spend a few days doing the Presidential Range traverse (Washington / Madison / Jefferson? . . . I forgot all the peaks! ). Look up the 'White Mountains' on summitpost.org. I believe there are also some great hostels in the area, so that would help keep expenses down.

[Sally]

How about the Olympic Mtns in Washington state? The Hoh River trail offers rainforest, mountain meadows, and a trek up to the huge glacier on Mt Olympus, and if you have ice travel skills, a climb up Mt Olympus.
My other favorite trail in the Olympics is a loop that takes you through the Seven Lakes Basin. Lots of alpine terraine and wildflowers.

[phydeux]

Another in the PNW: The Wonderland Trail that circumnavigates Mt. Rainier. It has both dense forest areas and grand open views of both Mt. Rainier and the surrounding areas. It gets crowded during summer-proper (Memorial Day to Labor Day), but if you can go after Labor Day it'll be a nice multiday trip. When I did it you could take a bus from Seattle to MtRNP.

[KathyW]

Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana....take your pick - they're all beautiful.

[Pitownpi]

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[Florian]

With California being broke...show some Love!

I like this! We had been thinking to visit Utah later this summer but i really like your Lassen idea!

-Florian

[Pitownpi]

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[KathyW]

The person who posted for ideas has $500 in free air fare he probably wants to get the most out of. Let's not turn this topic into one about the economic conditions of the state.