Totally depends on the weather. I've had some years where the alpine was snowfree in mid June and other years where I was still fighting snow in early Aug. But on average, July 1st longweekend is the norm. That is a solid 2 months of good scouting time. Typically by mid July the bucks are grown out enough to tell if they are going to be target bucks or not. Still a lot of growing after that but one gets to know the look that you need to see. Access issues are sorted out as soon as the snow is gone and I consider that all part of scouting. Even if you don't find anything, it allows you to x off an area off the map not to waste time in during the season. Remember, you aren't just looking for deer. You are looking for evidence of deer. You can hit some beauty alpine and not find a single track. That tells you, don't waste your time and look somewhere else.