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What is Shoulder Season backpacking?


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Home Forums General Forums Philosophy & Technique What is Shoulder Season backpacking?

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #1278157
    Paul Magnanti
    BPL Member

    @paulmags

    Locale: Colorado Plateau

    I recently had a nice e-mail thanking me for the trip info.

    But, he asked me "What exactly is shoulder season backpacking?"

    It is a term that seems to be used more in the past few years. And it is one I use myself.

    I gave the gentleman a quick answer (late or early season backpacking, borrowed from the travel industry, yadda, yaddda, yadda) but thought it might be a good idea to write something more thorough on my website.

    So here it is…

    Now I can be lazy and just give the next guy a link!!! :D

    Shoulder Season – The Time in Between

    #1770272
    David Chenault
    BPL Member

    @davec

    Locale: Queen City, MT

    Very much looking forward to shoulder season and getting Glacier back from the circus.

    For me shoulder season is when I'll probably be hiking in snow at least a bit, but definitely won't be skiing.

    #1770333
    Paul Magnanti
    BPL Member

    @paulmags

    Locale: Colorado Plateau

    Here in CO, that's about my criteria as well.

    :)

    #1770370
    Art …
    BPL Member

    @asandh

    where I live, shoulder season is that time of year where its still mostly sunny, but the temps can drop as low as 55* or rise as high as 75*.

    #1773641
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    if the bugs are completely gone and I'm not on snowshoes- it's got to be shoulder season :)

    #1773645
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    It's when fall foliage is in full swing, and those of us fortunate enough to live in or near Washington State can head for the high country to feast our eyes on the golden larix lyalli (alpine larch). Washington is nice enough to give us 2-3 weeks between the end of early "High Buck" hunting season September 25 and the opening of general hunting season in mid-October, just at the time when the alpine larch is at its peak! Of course, rain/snow and cold temps are to be expected!

    Or it's in the spring the snow is not melted out yet. This year, the "spring shoulder season" extended into August!

    #1773655
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Spring and Fall. Before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, with the trails clear of snow.

    #1773658
    Eugene Smith
    BPL Member

    @eugeneius

    Locale: Nuevo Mexico

    If I'm out backpacking, it's gotta be shoulder season. I never seem to get in trips during "optimal" or "peak" times of the year.

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