In mountainous terrain, season change doesn't follow the rigid guidelines of the calendar. Chirping thrushes and warblers, and appreciated longer hours of daylight herald the arrival of spring. Even as days get longer and sunlight starts to warm the earth, winter can again descend and cover the ground with a blanket of snow. When valleys begin to see spring flowers blossom and trees bud, hiking trails may still be snowbound. Tune-up your bike and go out for a spin, or hike a valley trail and search for signs of spring.
Fall announces itself with crisp morning air and leaves changing color.
It's time to visit snow free trails into the alpine to see larches in their golden mantle. Keep an eye out for migrating flocks of birds. Daylight hours are shorter, and trees lose their leaves in the cool autumn winds. These quiet seasons offer many opportunities to enjoy the mountains in solitude. You can paint, or take photographs, or gather your thoughts.