Favorite time to visit Salzkammergut
 

I am planning a weeklong trip to the Slazkammergut with an emphasis on photography. When is your favorite time for visiting this region? Are the peaks of spring wildflowers or fall foliage predictable?

Late May & early June for the flowers.

From mid-September to mid-October the weather is usually good, and the fall colors CAN be good. However, don't expect to get fall colors of the intensity and area as you get in, say, New England or with the Colorado Aspens. From a photographer's point of view, the mountains may be more hazy than in the summer. But they also tend to be hazy in the spring.

I am re-visiting a thread I started in 2005 since that planned trip never materialized. We have the opportunity to visit the Salzkammergut once again this year for my wife's birthday in mid-August.
My main concerns are the weather and crowds.
Checking the the weather patterns I find July and August to be the rainiest months of the year?! Should I expect less haze in the mountains but more rain during August?
Since I will be visiting at the peak of the tourist season, I am concerned about crowds. Should this be a concern, if hiking and photography are our main interests.
We would want to visit Salzburg from our base on 1-2 day trips. Would it be ok to drive into town? or take public transport?
Thank you, in advance, for your help.

I would stay in St. Gilgen and day trip into Salzburg by bus.
Do not miss Hallstatt with your camera.