Hurrah. It’s spring — the season that invites hikers to step into the backcountry and observe the remnants of winter’s ornamental artwork with the benefit of milder temperatures.

However, it’s also unpredictable: Snowpacks thaw irregularly, weather conditions fluctuate — as evident by the foot (or more) of snow the Cascades and Olympics received last month during an early spring snowstorm — and your surroundings, which may appear so serene and stable, can change in a flash.

How can hikers, beckoned by rising temperatures to get a jump start on a new season of adventure, safely navigate higher terrain during May, backcountry’s final “shoulder season” month? And what are some hazards they should keep in mind?…