![]() Mix the two, throw in a healthy dash of roadside cider stands and covered bridges, and you have the makings of an unforgettable autumn adventure. Vermont's less-visited Northeast Kingdom is also a standout biking destination. New England's palate of brilliant fall colors, especially those from bright red maple trees, has spread the region's foliage fame around the world. Ride Through Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park Be sure to plan ahead and check the release schedule, although the nearby New River Gorge National River is worth a fall trip when the Gauley isn't running. Skilled kayakers also flock to the Gauley, where both paddling and partying have become legendary. Paddlers must be 12 years old on the lower river and 16 years old on the upper stretch. The West Virginia river drops nearly 700 feet as it plunges through 25 miles of class III to V+ rapids, and, when you’re catching your breath on flatwater sections, the stunning colors decorating surrounding mountains will inspire their own kind of awe.Ĭommercial outfitters run the Gauley, but even with professional rafting guides, this is a serious adventure. Unauthorized use is prohibited.įor six glorious fall weekends (luckily most are of the four-day variety), dam releases crank up the water volume and turn the Gauley into a classic whitewater thrill ride that rivals any in the East. The Gauley River National Recreation Area comes alive after Labor Day, when Mother Nature gets a little help from the U. Cooler temperatures take the edge off the south-facing rock's summer heat, and lofty views of the Tennessee River look even better when cloaked in the season's finest colors. The famed Tennessee Wall (T-Wall) is a single-pitch trad climbing paradise that’s best tackled in autumn. The land is owned by an adjacent golf course, so your climbing-impaired friends can play a round while you test your skills. Even late in October, when the leaves often peak along the Cumberland Plateau, you might be climbing in a t-shirt.īouldering fans can visit Stone Fort, a much-loved area with hundreds of diverse problems. The region’s great food, friendly locals, low egos, and warm temperatures make Chattanooga, Tennessee, the perfect fall climbing spot. Photograph by iStock Photo/Getty ImagesĬhattanooga has quickly become one of America's go-to (and move-to) climbing towns, with no fewer than eight extensive crags within an hour's drive of downtown. Paddle Minnesota's Boundary Watersįall colors burst from below Georgia's Lookout Mountain, a popular climbing spot less than an hour's drive south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. A few nights trekking and sleeping under autumn's colorful leaves? John Muir would definitely approve. is a great place to begin mapping out your adventure and sourcing camping permits. With several contiguous wilderness areas and national parks, this region is one of the great roadless areas in the entire lower 48-so there are lots of hiking opportunities. The yellow forests flanking mountain peaks here aren't the reason California is known as the Golden State, but you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. It's a land of big vistas, and they show off the region's fall colors in grand panoramic style. The John Muir Wilderness area protects a 100-mile-long strand of high peaks, steep canyons, and alpine lakes along the crest of the High Sierra. Hike Amid California's High SierraĬlimb the mountains, John Muir once advised, and “cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” In the wilderness that now bears his name, which encompasses a portion of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, you’re best off hiking and climbing just before those glowing, golden leaves fall. Saddle up your bike (or horse), lace up your boots, grab a paddle, and get outdoors to enjoy this all-too-short fall foliage season. Your favorite activities already involve getting outside, so why not enjoy the autumn colors while you’re tackling one of those adventurous experiences. Taking in the fall colors doesn't need to be a snooze fest. ![]() Does leaf peeping make you think of cruising in an Oldsmobile with a flannel blanket on your lap? Don’t succumb to those yawns just yet.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |