Now that autumn is underway throughout the country, we all have several things to look forward to: pumpkins, apple cider, and fall hiking! When planning an autumn hike there are several factors to consider in order to make it the most safe and enjoyable experience possible: • Obtain schedules of local hunting seasons and wear a blaze orange hat, vest, or pack cover. Also, if hunters are in the area, call out "Hikers on the trail!" to let them know that it's a person rustling down the trail, not wildlife. • Be aware that days are getting shorter. In some areas the sun is setting close to 5 PM now, so when planning that little "shortcut," make sure the batteries in your headlamp are fresh. • Days are also getting colder and even a little drizzle can leave you dangerously chilled. Have waterproof and insulating garments available and try to incorporate a few more calories into your trailside snacks. • In the colder regions, fall is a great time to see wildlife stocking up for winter hibernation. Most of these critters will be active around dawn or dusk - sitting still during these times can increase your chances of seeing some great wildlife!