Fall is one of my favorite seasons for hiking. I love the cool, crisp weather and the trees that are painted in orange, yellow, and red. But the mild temperatures and fall colors bring out troves of leaf peepers to the forests, many of whom are unprepared for hiking in the shoulder season. I’ve seen hikers in flip flops, carrying nothing but their cell phone and their favorite Stanley cup, huffing and puffing up the rocky mountain terrain on more than one occasion. I wondered what they would do if they stubbed a toe, or it started raining, or they ran out of water on the way up. Don’t be like them! Hiking in the fall presents some challenges that are different from your spring and summer hiking, so if you’re heading out to the woods to enjoy the shoulder season, make sure you are going prepared. Here are some helpful tips for hiking safely this fall.
Gotta love those fall colors!
Stay Warm While Hiking
Fall means cooler temperatures, and out here in the East Tennessee mountains, the weather can change quickly. It may be warm and sunny at the start of your hike, but cold and even snowing at the top of the mountain! Make sure to check the weather before you head out, and remember that temperatures decrease by 3-5℉ for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Be ready for cold, wind, rain, snow, and sleet by carrying a day pack with extra layers. Hypothermia is a serious risk this time of year, so come prepared to keep yourself warm and dry. A fleece jacket or pullover is a great midlayer that you can wear while hiking, and a rain jacket will protect you from both precipitation and cold winds. It’s also a good idea to pack a pair of gloves and a hat just in case it gets cooler than you’re expecting.
Hiking with my favorite yellow hat, a buff around my neck, and a fleece zip-up to keep warm. Layers, layers, layers!
Shorter Daylight Hours in the Fall
Gone are the long days of summer, so be ready for fewer hours of daylight when you’re hiking in the fall. Around here, the sun starts setting around 5-6 pm, but it can get dark earlier depending on which side of the mountains you are on. When you are checking the weather before your trip, check the sunrise and sunset times as well. This will help you plan how much time you’ll have for hiking before it gets dark. With less daylight, you should plan for shorter hikes or make sure you are ready to hike in the dark. It’s always a good idea to pack a headlamp in your daypack in case you get caught out later than you were expecting.
Fall Water Sources
You should always plan to carry water with you on your hikes, and if you are going out for more than a few hours, you should have a plan to find additional water sources on the trail if needed. While water sources are often plentiful in the spring from heavy rains, many of those sources can be dried up in the fall. As you are researching your hiking route, look for information on the status of the creeks and streams along the way. You can sometimes find this information in trip reports or reviews online, or by calling the ranger station that manages the trails at your hiking location. The park rangers are great resources for getting the most up-to-date information on trail conditions and water sources. And if you’re not sure about the water situation, it’s always better to have too much than not enough. Pack more water than you think you’ll need and bring a water filtration system just in case.
Trail Conditions
The fall leaves are one of the big reasons people like to hike in the fall! While the changing colors are gorgeous, the fallen leaves can present some hidden risks. As the dried up leaves cover the trails, they can easily hide rocks, roots, and other obstacles that can lead to twisted ankles and other injuries. In addition, dried leaves can be very slippery when they’re wet. Take your time and be cautious when hiking on leaf-covered trails, and use trekking poles for added balance.
Hiking with Fall Wildlife
One of my favorite parts about hiking is spotting the wildlife! I’m an avid bird watcher and love catching a glimpse of black bears, deer, elk, snakes, and salamanders while I’m hiking. While you should always be cautious around wildlife, there are a few things to be especially careful of in the fall. Snakes are very good at camouflage, and can be hard to see when they’re curled up in a pile of leaves. In east Tennessee, baby copperhead season is in October through November, and these venomous snakes can be extremely difficult to spot. Use a trekking pole to scan through leaves when you’re hiking, especially off trail, and keep your eyes open for their bright yellow tails! You should also be on the lookout for deer and elk in the fall, as this is their prime mating season, known as the “rut.” During this time, the males can be more aggressive and territorial, so keep your distance if you see one.
Hiking in Hunting Season
Lastly, be aware of any hunting seasons in your area before you go out for a fall hike. In some places, like national parks, hunting may not be allowed. But in others, like many national forests, hunters are allowed to hunt for different game during different times of the year. In east Tennessee this fall, people may be out hunting deer, bears, wild boars, turkeys, and more. To stay safe during hunting seasons, make sure to wear blaze orange or blaze pink attire. These bright colors are highly visible to hunters, especially during dawn and dusk. You can find blaze orange shirts, hats, vests, and more online. I like the reflective blaze orange safety panel from Orange Aglow because I can easily attach it to the outside of any pack I'm carrying, and even strap it to the outside of my tent at night.
