Late-Fall Backpacking: How to Enjoy the Last Few Weeks Before the Snow Falls
Maggie Slepian
For those of us who don’t enjoy winter camping, our last chance for three-season overnight adventures is upon us. Snow has dusted the upper reaches of the mountains, and the weather at higher elevations is… questionable at best. But it’s not too late to get out and set the tent up one last time. Here’s how to make your overnights as simple, low-maintenance, and easy as possible before packing up the three-season camping gear for the year.
1) Lighter is still better, even when preparing for colder weather
You might need heavier layers and a warmer sleeping bag for fall overnights, but don’t go crazy on the gear. If you’re hiking with a partner you can still split the tent and cookset, and choose the rest of your gear carefully. Most of your items will be the same as they would be for summer backpacking trips—winter packs definitely get heavier, but a fall pack is pretty similar to a summer pack, albeit with a lower-rated sleeping bag and an extra layer or two. Which brings me to….
2) Streamline your clothing, but be prepared for bad weather
Weather changes fast in the backcountry during shoulder season, no matter your elevation. While I’d argue it’s always important to carry a rain layer and an insulation layer (either down or synthetic), it’s more important than ever during a mid-to-late-Autumn backpacking trip. This doesn’t mean bring multiples of each layer. One item for each category is fine. One lightweight rain shell, one insulated jacket, and a merino or fleece mid-layer to sleep in or hike in if it gets cold out. I also bring a pair of lightweight merino tights to sleep in for colder overnights so I don’t get chilly in sweaty hiking clothes after the sun goes down. A thin beanie and gloves will help thermal efficiency as well. Check the temperature and adjust accordingly for your destination if it’s deeper in the mountains or at a higher elevation. The changes between daytime and nighttime temperatures can be surprising—enough to make you sleep with your water bottle in your sleeping bag so it doesn’t freeze!
3) Know your elevations, aspect, and potential for different conditions higher up
As we inch closer to winter, the snowline is inching down as well. I’ve had more than one trip where I’ve planned a route or certain mileage and found snow at a much lower elevation than I anticipated. This is where understanding your elevation, trail aspect, and features is important. Where is the snowline? 7,500 feet? How high does your trail go? Will the alpine lake be frozen over once you get there? If your trail has a north-facing aspect and the region recently got snow, you can expect to have a snow-covered trail even if the south-facing trails and lower elevations are clear. If you’re trying to gain a pass, know that you could hit snow as you climb. You don’t necessarily have to change your plans if you hit different conditions, but know that your hiking times might be extended, and conditions can change once you’re out there.
4) But you might want to map an alternate campsite and drop pins. Just in case
It’s always better to be prepared. If I know the area I’m hiking to, I also plan for a lower route or campsite if the trail conditions are worse than expected. There’s nothing wrong with figuring out plans on the fly, but have a few different options never hurts either. I’ve also learned the hard way—#montanaprobs—to drop pins on my GPS app at a few points along the trail as I hike in. I’ve woken up more than once to snowcover on the ground, which can make finding the trail tough in the morning. Having pins to follow from your track into the campsite can eliminate this concern.
5) The days are getting shorter, prepare adequately
Planning a backpacking trip before the snow flies, but haven’t been out camping since July? You have a lot fewer daylight hours to work with. I will often leave my house for mid-summer backpacking trips in the early afternoon and not sweat losing daylight. Not so much for later fall trips. If you don’t like hiking or setting up your tent in the dark, keep tabs on sunset, and know that if you’re in a basin or canyon area, it’ll get darker even more quickly. Bring a high-powered headlamp and know your own pace and mileage.
6) Even if you don’t normally cook at camp, you’ll be glad for hot food on cold nights
I do not enjoy cooking in the backcountry. But for colder fall trips, I make an exception. If I’m feeling bougie, I’ll splurge on freeze-dried backpacking meals, but mostly I doctor PastaSides, ramen, or PastaRoni with some extra seasonings or a tuna packet. A few hot cocoa or cider packets never hurt either, and can be a great morale booster for a cold campsite. I also try to bring a variety of snacks—chewy, crunchy, salty, and sweet—to ensure there’s always something I want to eat. Keeping fueled with enough calories is important for staying warm and energized.
Even with all this careful packing and planning, it’s never a bad idea to expect the unexpected when you head out for a late fall overnight. Fall is an incredible time to get into the backcountry and enjoy the last of the bare ground before we whip out the skis and get ready for a snowy winter.
