When is the first day of fall – and what do you need to know for hiking?

Close up of hiker's fleece in foreground with other hikers in distance at sunset.

Whether you’ve recently stepped outside and realized that morning dew on the grass was actually frost or had a whiff of pumpkin spice as you pass the local coffee shop, you’ve probably realized that no matter how you feel about it, fall is on the way.

Though I love the long days and warm weather of summer, I can’t deny that I’m a bit of a sucker for fall. The crisp air is perfect for vigorous uphills, the turning leaves transform the landscape into a golden paradise and I can start pulling out my favorite mid layers that have been largely neglected for months.