Songs of Shoulder Season

March 27, 2025

By Lulu Herrera, GVLT Trails Project Manager

Ah, shoulder season—Montana’s unofficial “what-the-heck-is-happening” time of year. It’s that awkward stretch between winter and spring when the trails are caught in limbo. Snow’s melting, ice is clinging on for dear life, and everything turns into a muddy, slippery mess. Bikers dream of dry trails while hikers try to guess whether they’ll need microspikes, mud boots, or both on the same day, and trail crews brace for the worst. Recreating in shoulder season weather can be confusing for everyone. Before you hit the trail, there are a few things you should know to keep both yourself and the trails in good shape: