My brothers and I once woke up to heavy unexpected snow at the Mt. LeConte shelter (close to the AT, at about 6200 ft). We bailed at once, taking the Alum Cave trail down to the road. I hitchhiked back up to the parking lot at Newfound Gap to retrieve my car, in about 6 inches of new snow (still coming down heavily when I left the parking lot). Good thing the road was still open, or we’d have been in trouble. It was absolutely the right call.
We hit 4” of snow at Newfound Gap on May 12th one year.
30-some years ago wife and I went backpacking in Jemez Mountains of New Mexico around April. Had a 9-month little girl, so only went in a couple of miles, but the trail went down a steep switchback canyon wall.
Woke up next morning to about six inches of unexpected show. Hiked out 12 miles down the canyon to Park Headquarters. No problemo.
Bunch of cars and trucks and people in the lot. Went over to see what was going on. Getting ready to go rescue a couple with baby trapped in the mountains...
Turned out the friend we left notice of where we were going and when we’d be back panicked. We were never in the least danger and I had equipment along we would have been just fine in much worse conditions.