Try a trail on a weekday or an off season and you'll be amazed at the solitude you will find. Three Seasons Many of the high altitude trails, especially the wilderness trails, are still snow-packed into May and sometimes as late as June. But most of the trails at 9,000 feet and below are accessible through much of the spring. This is a verdant time in the mountains. Water courses down normally dry creek beds, leaves are budding and grass pokes up through the soil.
Spring is also a fragile time.
Melted snow has left the soil saturated and muddy and susceptible to damage from vehicle tires, horse hooves and footprints. If it looks like you will damage the land by traveling on it, find another, drier, place to play. The conditions are generally dry and the crowds have gone home. Try a favorite trail in September or October and you'll witness nature's change in the aspen leaves and cool days. A word of caution for autumn trail users - various hunting seasons are in full swing in the fall.