We’re into October now, and that means that Autumn is in the air and soon the green leaves of Summer will give way to the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of Fall. I know that it’s a perfect time to hit a trail and enjoy the cooler weather and stunning scenery, and so do the folks over at Backpacker Magazine where they’ve compiled a nice list of suggestions on where to go depending on how much time you have to spend.
With just three hours to spare, they recommend Lowe’s Bald Spot in New Hampshire, or Lost Maples State Natural Area here in Texas. It’s hard for me to think about the leaves changing colors when it’s still 90 degrees out most days, but these are expected to go for another couple of weeks.
Do you have more time on your hands? Then check out some of their other suggestions for longer hikes, lasting up to a three weeks. They’ll run the gamut from 2 days on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, to three weeks on the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado, with a number of good suggestions in between.
I’d also add to the list an area that they don’t really mention, but can be spectacular in the Fall. The Upper Mississippi Valley is beautiful this time of year, and there are a number of hikes for the day or the week in the area as well. For a longer hike, I’d recommend you check out the Kettle Moraine Trail in Wisconsin.
Which ever trail you choose however, don’t wait too long. Once the leaves start to change, they’ll go quickly, and the window of opportunity will be lost for another year. Get out and enjoy them while you can.
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Hey, Florida is great to visit this time of year with 70-degree days and many migrating birds!
Kumari Kelly
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/outdoorsblog
I’ve been to Florida a couple of times in the Fall and once in the Spring. The weather was great each time, but I definitely enjoyed the Fall weather more. Beautiful days for sure.