You know, I've traveled to more countries than I have states and I have wanted to remedy that for a long while. Like many East Coasters, I tend to have a very two dimensional view of what other parts of the country are like, which I realize is unfair. I've mentioned before that I love to travel by rail, which I really wish was a more affordable mode of transportation in the US. It would be so great if hyperloop or maglev trains gained a foothold here. I really think that cheap, easy travel within this country could go a long way toward really giving its citizens a much better understanding of the enormous place we call home, not to mention the people we share it with. Since that is unlikely to happen, I guess I'll just have to get myself a decent motorcycle and see it that way sometime.
I'm a big fan of road trips by car, actually, although it really is refreshing in other parts of the world to have options. The thing about America is there are dozens of things to see along any linear route, so driving is a boon because you can control your stops. If you haven't gotten out west, you need to. Utah and Wyoming are by far the most underrated states.
Agreed. I just counted and I've been to 45 states. Utah, IMO, has the most natural beauty.
Wyoming is the second most underrated state, Utah the 3rd but the MOST underrated state is without a doubt Montana. North West Montana is perhaps the most gorgeous part of the US. The last best place, the last best people.
May can actually be a great time to explore the lower trails. As you get higher the temperature is fair but you're walking through partially snow covered hills etc. It's beautiful and there are far less people at Glacier to contend with. My favorite trips there have been in May. You're right though, if you're interested in some serious back country hiking May will not work, but for camping and day hiking he should be all set.
He also specifically mentioned loving to travel by car. There's no better drive in the world that I've ever seen than Going-to-the-Sun road (I think that's the name anyway--the one that goes through Logan Pass). That will blow your mind, but no way you can do it in May.
Thanks for the tips, y'all. I do like traveling by car, but we'll be driving to a point and then hiking w/tent etc if we do this trip (it's not dependent on me so I haven't done any research yet). If May isn't as good for back country hiking because all the trails aren't open, we may adjust and camp in different places every night by car. Either way, really.
Let me know prior to going, I may be able to help steer you in a right direction. It's a wonderful place.