{"id":4483,"date":"2018-10-06T06:53:54","date_gmt":"2018-10-06T13:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=4483"},"modified":"2023-05-11T15:50:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T22:50:39","slug":"autumn-hiking-fall-california-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/06\/autumn-hiking-fall-california-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Autumn Hiking: Northern California Mountain Trails in Fall 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Autumn is a great season for hiking the mountain trails of Northern California, especially at the peak of fall color. Here are the pros and cons of autumn hiking, along with some advice. (Some of this advice also applies to spring backpacking in Northern California<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"Quaking
Quaking aspen turn vibrant yellow in autumn. (Higher elevations of California mountains)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hiking Northern California Mountains in Autumn\/Fall 2022: Pros<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Lots of Solitude<\/h3>\n

There won’t be many people around, so you can definitely get some hiking solitude<\/a>. If you’re lucky, you may have an entire lake to yourself, especially if you go midweek and do longer and more challenging hikes.<\/p>\n

Fall Colors on Deciduous Trees and Shrubs<\/h3>\n

You’ll definitely get some beautiful foliage on deciduous trees and shrubs through the end of October. The higher elevations above 5000 feet peak in early to mid-October, whereas lower elevations down to 2000 feet peak in middle- to late-October.<\/p>\n

\"Maples
Maples in full fall color along a Northern California hiking trail in early autumn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fewer Wildfires and Less or No Wildfire Smoke<\/h3>\n

We all know how devastating Northern California wildfires have been in recent years, and how much smoke those wildfires<\/a> put into the atmosphere. By fall, most of the wildfires are contained or out, and most or all of the smoke has blown away or been knocked down by rain. So you can worry less about wildfires as a hiker<\/a>, and you’ll have long-distance vistas to enjoy and cool, clean air to breathe.<\/p>\n

No Mosquitoes!<\/h3>\n

By autumn, mosquitoes and many other annoying insects are either gone until next summer or present in only minimal numbers. The later into autumn and the higher the elevation, the fewer mosquitoes in your face.<\/p>\n

\n

The Top 100 Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips in Northern California<\/h4>\n

\"100The all-color fourth edition features the best trails:<\/strong><\/p>\n