Adventuring with Your Pet in “Shoulder Season”

Enjoy the Outdoors During the Unpredictable Weather

Healthy Dogs |  August 26, 2024

Summers in the Pacific Northwest can be some of the most beautiful and lush around, but they often don’t last long, especially in the mountains. In order to extend the amount of time you can spend adventuring. it is often necessary to venture out in what we call “Shoulder Season.” which is typically in the early spring and late fall. Shoulder season is when the snow levels and weather in the mountains can be a bit more challenging, and thus presents different considerations than our more fair-weather ventures, especially when bringing along our furry adventure pals!

Here are some things to consider when planning your adventures during this time:

  • Choose Your Adventure Wisely – Striking the right balance between you and your pets’ skill level, the terrain you wish to experience, and how weather and other conditions will impact you is an art form. You might be long-distance peak baggers in the summer, but choose shorter river rambles in the off months to account for shorter days, mud, rain, and snow. Determining your own comfort levels and researching ahead of time helps to ensure you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery without worry.

Author on hiking trip

Packing the 10 Essentials for you and your pet is especially important during shoulder season. Over time, you’ll also want to customize this list with a few extra essentials that are unique to each place you visit.

  • Weather – Nothing is worse for you or your pet than to get caught in an unexpected rainstorm and the weather during these times of years can change rapidly. Be sure to check for rain, snow, wind speeds, and any warnings for wherever your adventure is planned. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Weather Service and maps make it easy to get a better idea of what weather will truly look like out in less populated areas.
      • Pack extra layers for you and your dog, including insulating layers and rain gear.
      • Muddy or snowy terrain can present issues for bare paw pads, so boots or paw wax can be a critical addition to you or your pup’s pack.
      • Pack a towel and warm and dry layers for the drive home.
  • Daylight – Ensure you plan your day accordingly and check when sunrise and sunset will occur, so you know how many daylight hours you have. Keep in mind that sunrise and sunset times might differ where you’re hiking. Establishing a turnaround time based on daylight remaining during this time of year can really help ensure that you’re able to get back to the car prior to dusk.

Shoulder Season Tip: Don’t forget your flashlight, headlamp, dog lights, and extra batteries just in case you end up being out longer than expected.

  • Trail Conditions – This time of year is also usually when you’ll experience more obstacles on trails and roads leading out to your favorite spots. Check your favorite resource to read recent trip reports to learn about downed trees, washouts, snow obstacles. and other hazardous conditions prior to leaving. It’s critical to ensure you and your pet have a great adventure and limit the risks of injuries. AllTrails and Washington Trails Association are great places to find such trip reports and updates.
    • Carrying a map while also having and knowing how to use a compass can be lifesaving, especially when trails might become harder to follow.
    • It may also be advised to utilize a harness and lead, limiting your dog’s time off-leash when trail conditions become potentially hazardous.
  • Avalanche Conditions – The very early spring is when avalanche conditions can truly be the worst–with warming weather and layers of snow destabilizing quickly. If you plan to head anywhere that snow might persist, it’s important to know how the risk of an avalanche. Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) has a team that evaluates and forecasts avalanche conditions and can help you plan your trips accordingly.
    • Avalanche awareness classes can be a great way to learn more about these conditions and how to plan snowy adventures safely!

Shoulder season can be a wonderful time to begin or continue your adventures. We hope that these considerations help you to plan your next trip and safely enjoy the outdoors with your pet any time of year!

Dog In Backpack

I’m Holly, one of Mud Bay’s Category Managers and an avid adventurer, especially with my two pups, Goose and Edna. As the designated “camp mom” on most of my adventures, I understand the value of preparation and knowledge when it comes to enjoying the outdoors and keeping all of my four and two-legged companions comfortable and safe.

🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy.
🐈 🐕
Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy.
🐈 🐕
We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets.
#mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming

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🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy. 🐈 🐕 Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy. 🐈 🐕 We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets. #mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming

Fluff & Tuff`s #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon!
🐾
Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
🐾
And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn`t be easier to participate!
Here`s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
🐾
Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF

View Instagram post by mudbay
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Fluff & Tuff's #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon! 🐾 Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most. 🐾 And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn't be easier to participate! Here's how it works: 📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy. 📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff. 🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog. 🐾 Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF

Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear.
🧊
Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design.
🌞
Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #adventures #pnw #dog #summeriscoming

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Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear. 🧊 Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design. 🌞 Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay. #mudbay #adventures #pnw #dog #summeriscoming

Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰
🐈 🐕
Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
🐈 🐕
Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚
#mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets

View Instagram post by mudbay
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Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰ 🐈 🐕 Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. 🐈 🐕 Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚 #mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets