Top 5 Tips For Fall Hiking in New York
With the fall equinox just around the corner, temperatures will soon begin to dip, fall migration will be underway, and the leaves will change, making fall hikes an experience full of vibrant colors and beautiful scenery, no matter what trailhead you choose.
While fall can be one of the best seasons for hiking, there are a few things outdoor enthusiasts should keep in mind before dusting off their flannel and hitting the trail.
To help nature lovers get ready to lace up their hiking boots and enjoy some of the best fall hikes in New York, Henri de la Vega (our Another Summit Director of Outdoor Adventure and Education) is bringing you his top five expert tips for fall hiking.
Fall Hiking Tip 1: Check the Weather, then Check it Again
Courtesy of mountain-forecast.com
Just like spring, fall is known as a “shoulder season”. In shoulder seasons, the weather can be unpredictable and often comes with significant (and sudden) temperature swings, which can make your hike particularly tough if you’re not properly prepared.
When making preparations for your fall hike, it’s important to check the valley weather, as well as the weather at higher elevations if you plan on climbing to a peak — because these two locations could boast very different temperatures.
Having this information will help you to create a layering system that allows you to enjoy your fall hike without overheating on the climb or freezing at the top. With lower-elevation hikes, all you need to do is check the weather for the town closest to your destination.
To check summit weather, we recommend: www.mountain-forecast.com
In short, dress for warmer temperatures and carry layers for cold, wind, and rain, and you should be good to head out for a beautiful fall hike.
Fall Hiking Tip 2: Be Sure to Check Hiking Trail Conditions
Another essential task to complete before setting off for any hike, but especially during a shoulder season, is checking your destination’s trail conditions. While there’s sadly no one-stop-shop for trail conditions for all of New York State, there are some excellent hiking communities that can be found on Facebook.
Try searching for the name of the area you’re interested in along with the search term “trail conditions” to help you find the information necessary to prepare for your outdoor adventure.
Knowing the trail conditions for the area you’ll be hiking will help you make an informed decision on your footwear, traction (snow and ice can come as early as November further upstate), or even picking a new destination.
Fall Hiking Tip 3: Find Out When the Sun Sets and Carry a Headlamp
It might seem like a no-brainer, but this one catches hikers off guard every year. When we’re well past the summer solstice, the days get shorter.
By mid-October, the sun will go down just after 6 PM, and by mid-November, the sun will dip below the horizon at around 4:30 PM.
As we get closer to the winter solstice, our available daylight hours will begin to decrease rapidly, which makes having sunset information critical for your planning. While fall hikes are beautiful, you may want to plan a shorter trek or prepare yourself to enjoy an early sunset.
Fall Hiking Tip 4: Share the Hiking Trail With Hunters
Fall is a time when outdoor enthusiasts with all different kinds of interests are hitting the trails, and that includes hunters.
In New York, hunting season opens in September, and it’s important to know if the land you’ll be hiking on allows hunting. Before you head out, check and see if hunting is allowed at your destination.
If hunting is allowed, follow these guidelines: Wear at least two articles of blaze orange clothing or other bright colors — hunters are required to follow this rule, and it’s a good idea for fall hikers to follow suit.
Wearing bright colors helps ensure you’re seen by others on the trail. If you’re taking your dog along for your fall hike, they’ll need to wear blaze orange as well.
Speaking of dogs, always keep yours leashed! This is something you should always do while hiking, but it’s especially important during the hunting season. An unleashed dog could scare away game animals, or worse, be confused for one.
Be respectful to hunters by keeping group sizes small and try to keep your noise to a minimum. If any of these guidelines seem like they’ll be too much of an inconvenience, consider picking a park that doesn’t allow hunting.
Fall Hiking Tip 5: Follow the “I Love New York” Fall Foliage Report
Image courtesy of I Love New York
It’s hard to imagine a fall landscape without picturing a sea of yellow, red, and orange as deciduous tree leaves change color in preparation for the winter ahead. The beauty that can be experienced with the changing of the seasons inspires many fall hikers to get out and hit the trails.
If the primary goal of your fall hike is to enjoy the changing leaves as you navigate stunning New York hiking trails, do yourself a favor and check out the I Love New York fall foliage report.
New York is a big state, and foliage changes can come weeks or even months apart, depending on where you are in the state. The fall foliage report will provide you with a map that shows you which areas are approaching peak, in peak, or past peak color.
If you’re watching the leaves challenge from your balcony in Brooklyn and decide to visit the Hudson Valley for a real show, you might be disappointed if you don’t have the right information on hand.
Join Another Summit’s Outdoor Activities for Veterans and First Responders
Another Summit is an outdoor adventure program created by not-for-profit organization Guardian Revival to enrich the lives of military, veterans, and first responders (our guardians) and their families at no cost to them.
We welcome all guardians, whether they’re active or retired, including Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, Federal Agents, Veterans, Active Military, Reserve, and National Guard.
Another Summit organizes and leads structured outdoor activities in the Hudson Valley Region of New York. Our outdoor activities are available for all skill levels from beginner to advanced and are led by trained outdoor leaders.
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll to enjoy some fall foliage, or aiming to push your limits in the great outdoors, Another Summit has an experience for every guardian regardless of skill level or age.
Ready to take in the stunning sights of fall in the great outdoors? Check out our calendar for upcoming events and join Another Summit today.
