Shoulder season arrives early locals unsure what to pursue

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:03:12 +0000

The air above Bridger Bowl smelled like dust and pine sap Tuesday morning. Three hikers passed a man waxing nordic skis at the Saddle Peak trailhead. He did not look up.

“Conditions are prime for something,” said Dale Harkness, 54, scraping last April’s klister from his bases. “Just not sure which something yet. Could be a bluebird ridge run. Could be elk season scouting. Could be sitting in the truck eating a burrito wondering why my knees hurt.”

Shoulder Season on The Bozeman Daily Bee

Shoulder season arrives early locals unsure what to pursue