With today being the last full day of summer, we’re asking you what you love about the autumn season. Obviously, fall means different things in different parts of the country, but you could make a strong argument that it’s the best season for adventure. Okay, fine, I will here. On the West Coast, our real summer begins. Coastal fog disappears and temperatures along the coast heat up with offshore winds grooming consistent surf. Tourist hordes recede too, with beaches becoming less crowded. In the mountains, it’s the same as far as crowds. Sure, it starts getting progressively colder, but backcountry sites that were crowded in August are empty in late September and early October. The bugs are gone too. Speaking of bugs, fly fishing picks up now too. Mountain biking becomes a little easier as trail temperatures cool down. Trailrunning, the same.
And then there’s the heightened sense of drama that the lengthening shadows take on. The light becomes a little yellower, a little more golden, at least in California. Where spring brings forth a wide-open optimism and the urge to get the heck outside immediately to absorb the longer, brighter days like a sponge, fall hints at cozy days to come and en equally powerful drive to get out there and get it while you still can, before winter changes everything. Then of course, if winter sports are your thing, well, fall says, here’s your welcome mat.
So what’s your favorite thing about fall?
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
The smell of the first cold morning!
Cooler evenings, brisk mornings, no HVAC bill whatsoever. The foreboding ski season, season passes go on sale, the fall colors, the rain returns here in the PNW, the daily run gets easier after a summer of heat-adaptation.
I’d have to argue there should be an “all of the above” option to the poll.
Fire places and fireflies.
Not often seen here in South Florida
Cooler temps and dropping humidity, fo sho.
Warm sun. Cool breeze.
So many things to love – less crowds, less bugs, cooler temps, and changing aspen. Favorite season hands down!
The best thing about fall is searching for the best autumn color week to week as it moves down the mountains. The aspens start to turn yellow in mid-September at the high passes and move down to lower and lower elevations until November.
What ISN’T the best thing about fall? Colors, temps, campfires, granite, dust-free trails, flannel, impending skiing, kids back in school, etc. etc.
Fall has somewhat the best of both worlds. It still has the decent warm weather of Summer in the low lands but you also get to see the early signs of Winter with snow covered mountains.
Personally as a trail runner, and mountain scrambler its the perfect time to push yourself cause as Jeff mentioned, your body is heat adapted and now that you aren’t overheating that energy seems to transfer into more power in the mountains. Also most mountains are able to be climbed with the least amount of gear, and the only true problem is as Fall is turning into winter is daylights decreasing.
Great timing: Just got back from a 65-mile bike ride on a perfect 70ish dry day. Felt great as I melt in heat.
We’ve been gorging ourselves on fresh local peaches and the apples are up next. The local farms are bursting with gorgeous tomatoes and all sorts of other fruits and veggies. Salads are the best they’ll ever be.
After all that riding and eating, I sleep like a baby on these cool nights.
Easy to see a sunrise, and a sunset. No (less) mosquitos in the mountains, fall colors, less crowds, perfect weather on the CA coast (apologies to those who visited in summer…), perfect weather though much of the lower 48, golden aspens shimmering in the wind, endless wave of colors from Georgia to Maine…where do I start?
The cooler weather, colors, and less people.
All of the above. Fall is the absolute best. The air temp, the colors, the light. Flannels and camp fires for more than ambiance. Yes, please.
Cool mornings, open windows, and the anticipation of ski season –
Sendtember! All the tough rock projects seem so much easier as the temps and humidity drops.
The air is drier, crisper, even on really warm days at the beach or on the river. The crowds are down, and ownership of our beaches and woods transfer back to those that are fortunate to live in a vacation paradise year ‘round.
Cooler temps and less humans in the back country. Win win.
Crowds, high temps and bugs are gone. Best backpacking weather.
Trail Running and cycling in the fall are the best!
Up in Michigan, it’s all about the color and the quiet. I look forward to it all summer long.
Vibrant yellow populus tremuloides.
Free candy in October and a huge dinner in late November! Duh!