PREPPING FOR AUTUMN DAY HIKE

 

trail to Dunkley Falls
Wevertown
central Adirodacks
Autumn 2018

I've had so many friends ask me how to prep for an autumn hike that I finally decided to just do a post about it since it's easier to send this info vs texting everyone who has asked me for tips. 

Look at the photo above.  It was a beautiful Autumn day.  Look at the trail.....hard to see it, right, due to all the leaves? and there were no blazes on this trail.  Just the sound of the falls luring us onward.  Thankfully I had my hiking pole with me because little did we know there was a steep downward section and personally I could not even get close to the falls. I could just glimpse them.  

However, that was an unusual hike.  The one I'm leading on Saturday is much more direct and clearly marked. In fact, my favorite time to hike the Tenant Creek Falls trail is in the mid-late Autumn season. No bugs, no sweat, no hordes of people/children. 

If you're hiking in mid-Autumn (which it currently is)  for more than a mile in the woods, specifically the mountains, you want to be prepared. Even if you're just going for a quick mile jaunt, you'll want some of these items.  

First:  PACK YOUR BACKPACK THE NIGHT BEFORE.  WHY?  So you aren't scrambling at the last minute in the morning, when you'd rather be drinking your coffee and stretching out your legs. SHOWER the night before and please avoid scented perfumes, lotions, body sprays (they do attract wildlife.....er....bears in particular.....and they're not fully hibernated yet).  I have never had issues with an actual bear on a trail I've hiked and I've been hiking since I was a child. However, I've seen plenty of bear scat on trails which means they've  come that way at some point! The cool thing about hiking with a group: noisy...the bears will stay away.  

What to include in the backpack:

• extra hiking socks
• lunch
• water (I tend to bring 2 bottles for hikes that are between 4-8 miles long)
• gloves
• first aid kit (unless leader says there will be one with her/him)
• hiking rainwear (I like the LLBean brand windbreaker that folds into a ball...it's not super great but it's lightweight and will at least keep you somewhat protected).
• biodegradable tissue
• lip balm
• sunscreen if hiking to a bare summit and predictions are for sunshine

Second:  SET OUT YOUR HIKING CLOTHES THE NIGHT BEFORE!  Why?? Same reason as above!

I can't begin to tell you what to wear other than to avoid  denim of all kinds; avoid cotton; avoid sweater sets; avoid  any kind of footwear other than hiking boots/high top sneakers with a gripping sole.  I can tell you what I typically wear on a flat hike in the woods during the mid-Autumn:

• Wick away hiking shirt, long sleeved if temps are going to be below 55. 
• Top layer wick away top: I like the semi quilted type ones that have a 3/4 zipper and comes up like a turtleneck
• Hiking leggings with a cellphone pocket OR polyester/cotton/wick away blend trekking pants (similar to cargo pants)
• Thick winter hiking socks
• hiking boots
• Orange or Fluorescent  color hat 
• Wool/Flannel shirt as a "Coat" or quilted vest
• Whistle
• fitbit
• my "good luck" dragonfly earrings or bracelet (it's a thing with me!!)
• fingerless gloves

TIPS:  I typically don't drive with all the layers on.  It gets hot. I bring the outer layer as a "just in case".  Keep in mind, the mountains are typically anywhere between 5-15 degrees colder than the city/suburbs. Also, please avoid packing your wallet into your backpack.  Keep it in a purse along with your house keys. If you're not driving to the trailhead you can keep your car keys in the purse too. The leader typically locks all purses into the trunks of the cars going to the trailhead. 

Other tips:

Leave the itinerary with your spouse/significant other/or another relative or friend.  This way they know when to expect you back. 

As a leader or even when I'm solo hiking, I always leave a note on the windshield stating my destination and plan for time being back at car. That way if a ranger comes along and sees I'm not out of the woods and it's getting past the time I expected to be out, he/she will be on the alert. 

You can find the name and phone number for the various rangers on the NYS DEC website.  There are different rangers for different regions of the ADKs and Catskills. Typically the leader might have that info.  Not all leaders bother with this. I only have the number of one ranger in my phone, personally, but my husband always knows my plan. 

When there is a trail register, use it!!  If you're part of a group, the leader will check everyone in.  This means, name of leader, number of people in group, destination and date. 

I like keeping my hiking boots in the trunk to put on once I'm at the trailhead because I like my feet in regular shoes to drive.  I also keep foot spray in the trunk and wet wipes.  

Wear what is comfortable for you (think aerobic fitness clothing) and think layers!!  Think about the temperature and know that once you're in the woods, it tends to be warmer than in open spots or mountain summits.