What is Shoulder Season backpacking?

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.

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

:)

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*.

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

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!

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

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.