Hiking in the autumn can be beautiful and a lot of fun. However, there are some challenges as well. Read these quick tips on how to have an enjoyable fall hiking season.
1. Watch your footing-
Sturdy shoes are a must. I recently wore sneakers with zero grips in the woods and literally leaf surfed down the descending parts. However, even sturdy shoes won’t always protect you from slipping on leaves. So it is very important to watch your footing.
2. Hidden Hazards-
Leaves can hide hazards in the trail. Holes, roots, rocks, and even snakes can be hiding in the leaves. It all circles back to tip number one, watch where you place those feet.
3. Packing clothes-
I find fall weather unpredictable. Make sure you use layers. It most likely will be a lot cooler in the early morning and towards nightfall. Wicking layers are the best options. Remember your rain gear too for those impromptu fall showers.
4. Don’t be mistaken for Bambi-
Some areas such as multi-use areas and state land are shared with hunters. During hunting season (around Thanksgiving), make sure you wear something orange and not only yourself but your four-legged friends too and children. Check your areas for the exact hunting schedule. For us in New York, we are currently in bow hunting season. I still opt for bright colors because I honestly don’t want to be struck by an arrow. It’s not like being struck by Cupid. It will sting.
According to Brian Higgs, a local hunter there are several fall hunting seasons. You have turkey, bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, or rifle (depending on what county you are in). SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE VISIBLE.
5. Time of Day-
Ever heard of falling back and springing forward? Be aware that it gets darker earlier. We ended up hiking late and got caught at dusk. It was really creepy. Make sure you have all your night-time gear in case you get trapped in the dark.
6. Watch the Children
Watch your children when hiking in the fall. Obviously, you always watch your children. However, you need to make sure they are being smart and following these steps too. Often, kids enjoy running and not really looking where they are going.
7. Trail of Bread Crumbs
Alright, I assume you won’t be using a trail of breadcrumbs. Most likely you will be using an App such as Alltrails.com. However, I find that in the fall, I get turned around easily. The trails just look so different. So brings maps, and use your eyes to look for those trail markers. Remember, some trails don’t even have markers. So fall hiking becomes even more challenging. Really pay attention or you might end up that witches gingerbread house.
8. Hydration on trails
This weather can very misleading. It is often a lot more comfortable to hike. It isn’t too hot or too cold usually. The weather is just right. So, you might not think you need to hydrate. However, you do.
According to Rei,
A good general recommendation is about a half-liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures. You may need to increase how much you drink as the temperature and intensity of the activity rise. For example, strenuous hiking in high heat may require that you drink 1 liter of water or more per hour.
Rei.com
Final Thoughts-
Hiking in the autumn can be amazing. The leaves are changing. The smells are different. There is just so much to experience as long as you remember these tips so you don’t “fall” down on your autumn hiking adventure.
Need Trail Suggestions? We got ’em
Hi! Want to See Abby Girl’s latest Fundraiser she is taking part in until the end of October? Read that blog post here!
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