Where I live it doesn't matter. We hike 12 months a year. Of course it helps that I live at the base of two large mountains (10K + feet); on the desert floor only 500 feet above sea level. Not lucky, I planned it that way when I was a young adult. :)

3 seasons for me
hockey and aggressive local/ training walks in winter

Hiking season for me is directly related to when I can get my vacation time scheduled or work in a three or four day weekend out and back trip.

24 hour turnaround style trips and section hikes on the AT and other trails within a 4 to 5 hour drive / travel time window are my thing.

My trips have fallen into the 3 season category. I prefer the fall and early spring seasons. I have hiked in the dog days of summer when it felt as if I needed to find a spray on can of Hydropel. ;-)

As Eugene said my ability to hike also revolves around my family life and events. Ironically as I write this I am in NC relatively close to the AT but I am here for a very important family event that takes precedence.

Our oldest son and his fiance' are to be married this week and we are here to celebrate the wedding.

Party On !!!!

Newton

Im not a fan of hot days, like 100 degree days. I do the bulk of my backpacking between Sept thru June. short days can be a problem, but a nice cozy jacket and warm fire can solve that. I love the winter sky.

I hike on the weekdays throughout every season. I try and set my free time after work around two hours to accomplish this. The seasons as they change make it more exciting and almost brand new every time you go. As for trekking I do that every season also but I trek from Friday and come back Sunday camping anywhere as I please. I take it very slow and very far mostly up any mountainous locations.

I live down here in sunny FL, and I hike/bike/camp year-round. From the lows in the twenties during our week of winter here to 95+ degrees with 100% humidity during May to October, I do it all. It helps that I tend to bike to the campsite; you always have a breeze on a bike.

Even so, I hiked the Ocala South section of the FL Trail last August. It was when I could get two days off from work. I didn't see anyone on the trail outside of the established campgrounds (water stops), and it was wonderful for that.

I highly recommend going out during the "off" seasons for your area if you want to be alone on larger trails. As long, of course, as you have the skill set to deal with problems under those conditions (be they heat or cold).

I usually hit the desert (Death Valley) once winter comes, but it's more of a mix of Jeeping and backpacking.

Only good thing about living in Bakersfield is all the options 2-3+ hours away. Beach, Desert, East and West Sierras.

Another Floridian here.

Yes, I'm a seasonal hiker unless I can travel far away: I, too, hike when most of the country stops, since the weather and critters aren't so accomodating.

I know most don't concern themselves with snakes, but I'm pretty good at spotting wildlife and tend to see far more snakes, on the same trails, than most people I talk to. They haven't survived w/ such few adaptations for so long for no reason! They're survivors!!!

Florida sucks for my kind of hiking but you make the most of what you have!