In spring, a trail that starts out dry may become snow-covered, muddy or cut off by a mountain stream higher up. This season calls for choosing a hike based on the actual conditions that day, rather than a general idea of what spring should be like.
Lingering snow changes the route
Even a short snow-covered slope can make progress or descent difficult if it does not match your experience and equipment. Do not improvise a way around an obstacle: turn back, choose a lower alternative or postpone your hike. When relevant, check mountain conditions and the appropriate bulletin for the mountain range before setting out.
Anticipate mountain streams and waterlogged ground
Snowmelt and rain can change a crossing that is usually straightforward. Do not cross a watercourse if you are unsure about its flow, depth or your ability to keep your balance. A map helps identify escape routes; the guide to reading a route helps you plan for them.
Plan a flexible hike
Starting early, keeping to sensible elevations and being willing to take a shorter route often makes for a more enjoyable day. The weather can change quickly: keep a protective layer within reach and have a clear plan B.
FAQ
Is a summer route passable in spring-time?
Not necessarily. Snow, rockfall, water and less visible waymarks can completely change the difficulty of a section.
What should you do if a mountain stream is too high to cross?
Do not force a crossing. Only consider a known, safe alternative; otherwise, back-track.
Stay within your abilities
A patch of lingering snow may look short from the valley, yet prove difficult to cross on a slope or descent. If a section calls for equipment, techniques or risk assessment skills you have not mastered, the route is not suitable for that day. The same applies to a trail that disappears or a stream that is rising.
These same principles apply more strictly in winter: understand the limits of winter hiking without skis before treating snowy terrain as a simple variation on summer hiking.
Accept that information is incomplete
A recent photo or a shared route never gives a complete picture of conditions on a section. Aspect, time of day, temperature and the group's progress can quickly change the situation. Use the available information to reduce uncertainty, then remain willing to turn back as soon as the terrain no longer matches what you planned for.
Choose the right aspect and time of day
Two nearby sections can develop very differently depending on their exposure to the sun. Keep this difference in mind when assessing snow, mud or the flow of a stream.