.png)
Fall hiking is always a treat, streams are flowing faster, waterfalls are flowing stronger, the incredible fall colours and leaves falling to the ground offer some cushioning to our tired feet. Even better, is backpacking in the Fall. NAC plans most of it's backpacking trips in the Fallseason, the cooler temps are nicer to hike in and even sleep in. Even nicer, is the lack of insects. But be careful, the Fall offers some problems of it's own, like more rain and humid conditions. Take a look at this short article for some quick fall hiking tips!
Fall is our favourite hiking season.
It’s not too hot. The bugs are gone. Solitude is easier to find.
But fall hiking has its own complications, especially when it comes to weather.
Before heading out, check out this handy fall hiking checklist:
1. Protect Your Feet
Pamper your feet, and they’ll take you around the world (or at least to the top of the fall colours lookout!).
Just going short distances? A pair of suede or synthetic shoes will offer great comfort, without a big “breaking in” process. They dry fast, and aren’t tough on the wallet.
If you’re going for longer treks, then you’ll want footwear that offers support, comfort, weather resistance, and durability.
On flat, low-altitude trails, hiking shoes will give you more freedom of movement. On rough, rocky terrain, you’ll need better ankle support and greater stability on climbs — go for boots. On muddy and wet surfaces, leather shoes or boots will be more resistant to water and easy to clean.
2. Backpacks
Number one criteria? Size.
For a short hike, a daypack is best. It’s light, practical, and big enough to carry the essentials (you’re looking for something between 15 and 35 L).
For longer hikes, look for a pack between 30-50 L with an integrated frame (to prevent the bag from putting too much pressure on your back and shoulders).
3. Stay Hydrated
Yes, the heatwaves of summer are probably gone for the year, but packing enough water is vital in any season.
For shorter hikes, this might just mean filling up your favourite water bottle.
For longer treks, consider a hydration reservoir, which can carry anywhere from 0.5 to 10 L. No need to rummage in your pack for your water bottle (they always sink to the bottom!); just enjoy a sip from the handy tube.
Reservoirs are light-weight, reusable, and can be easily added in most backpacks.
4. Keep Warm and Dry
Fickle fall can transform a sunny morning into a wet, cold afternoon.
After a forest hike, the wind atop the lookout can bite. Dress in layers.
If it’s warm, you can take a layer off to prevent sweating (moisture’s the enemy of fall hiking).
If it’s cool, you can add a layer back on. Softshells are easily packable and light.
They keep wind and water off, and are easy to take on and off as needed.
Dressing for your trek? Check the forecast before hitting the trails, and never start a trail if you’re not sure you can make it back before dark.
Happy trails!
Written by Ontario Parks and posted on Parks Blog, October 9, 2021Good Morning,
There is only one week left until we depart for Tobermory and our 4 day journey along the Bruce Trail begins. We will be hiking 42kms over the course of 3 days! Most of this hike will take place in Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario's most beautiful National Park by far! We will spend some time at the famous Grotto after camping at Stormhaven Backcountry Campsite, and then continue on to the edge of the park where we will walk down the road to spend the night in a little bit of comfort at Tobermory Village Campgrounds. This paid campsite offers the finer amenities, like running water and flushable toilets, we can even have a shower if we like! And finally, on the third day we will walk back to the Bruce Trail to complete the final bit of the trail and finish at the Northern Cairn. I am very much looking forward to the trip, but not so much all the last minute preparations I have to complete this week. So much to do in such a short time! But it is always so very worth it.
Once I get back from Tobermory, it is right back to the planning and preparations for our upcoming Yosemite Trip. The second expedition, and final trip of this year. Yosemite, in my opinion, is one of the most incredible places in the world, and I am so happy to be getting back there, finally, after five years of being away. But the trip is only six weeks away, and I still have quite a bit of planning to do. This week, the entire group will meet in a video conference. We will determine who the tent mates and cook set teams will be, learn about the animals we may encounter, plan our packing list and much more. After that, I will spend a week or two putting all the information together to make the trip run smoothly. There will be more news on that soon.
As always, be sure to check out the Events Page and below to keep up to date on upcoming adventures. Currently, we have both climbing events and day hikes planned right up until mid October!
That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking!
Lenny Burch