TIPS FOR FALL HIKING
• Since it’s getting dark sooner and sooner in the day, head out early and bring a headlamp or a flashlight so you don’t get caught in the dark. Whatever light source you bring along, make sure it has plenty of juice so you don’t end up in the dark with a dead battery.
• Watch the weather: Dress in layers and bring a rain jacket, as it could be brisk in the morning or evening but warm up during day. Temperatures can vary wildly during the fall, as can rainfall.
• Wear tennis shoes, hiking boots or footwear with ankle support. Leave your flip-flops at home or in the car.
• Always bring water and a snack.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen: It’s still possible this time of year to get sunburnt.
• Hike with someone or tell someone where you’re going.
• Always bring a map of the trail.
Perhaps the best place to experience fall foliage is from your own two feet.
Fall’s cooler temps and color make this perhaps the best time of year to get out and explore the 75-plus miles of hiking trails found in your Five Rivers MetroParks.
“The cool temperatures mean there aren’t that many biting insects, and the falling leaves make it easier to spot wildlife,” said Angie Sheldon, Five Rivers MetroParks’ interim outdoor recreation manager. “Plus, this time of year, you often have more solitude in the parks.”
Nearly all 25 Five Rivers MetroParks facilities have some extraordinary leaf-peeping opportunities, and the natural area parks offer particularly spectacular views of fall color. Suggested parks and points of interest include:
• Carriage Hill MetroPark, 7821 E. Shull Road, Huber Heights: Visit (and pack your pole and gear to fish in) North Woods Pond, accessible from the orange and yellow trails.
• Englewood MetroPark, 4361 National Rd, Vandalia: Hike the green trail to visit Martindale Falls and Patty Falls, as well as the Pumpkin Ash and Swamp Forest.
• Germantown MetroPark, 7101 Conservancy Road, Germantown: This 1,655-acre park is the most diverse and significant natural area Five Rivers MetroParks manages. Its 16 miles of trails, ranging in length from a half mile to nearly seven, cross a variety of terrain and habitats and offer visitors some of the Dayton region’s most stunning views of fall color. A good portion of the 22-mile Twin Valley Backpacking Trail also runs through Germantown MetroPark.
• Hills & Dales MetroPark, 2655 S. Patterson Blvd, Kettering: Hike the 1.4-mile Adirondack Trail (orange), which includes a loop around beautiful Dogwood Pond and on a boardwalk through a high-quality forested wetland.
• Possum Creek MetroPark, 4790 Frytown Road, Dayton: Follow the purple trail through the Argonne Forest and discover a beautiful woodlands — as well as the remnants of a 1930s- and 1940s-era amusement park known as the Argonne Forest Park.
• Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook: Hike the green or orange trails to visit the Osage Orange Tunnel and Three Sisters at this park with a variety of trails, including a paved handicap-accessible loop.
• Taylorsville MetroPark, East Park, 2101 U.S. 40, Vandalia: The trails in this portion of the park recently were upgraded and offer spectacular views of the Great Miami River, a rock outcrop and more.
• Twin Creek MetroPark: 9688 Eby Road, Germantown: Also home to part of Twin Valley Backpacking Trail, which connects this part with Germantown MetroPark, Twin Creek’s trails offer scenic views perfect for taking in fall’s color pop.
“You can hike at any of the parks for great views of seasonal color,” Sheldon said, adding that for those willing to hike up stairs, the 46-foot Tree Tower at Cox Arboretum MetroPark is a great place for panoramic views of fall color. “Plus, the great thing about hiking is it doesn’t require a lot of equipment — you can just get up and go. All the parks have hiking opportunities, with varying terrain and distances suitable for all fitness levels and everyone who would like to experience the outdoors.”
Yet while Five Rivers MetroParks’ well-marked trails are color coded and most are loops, Sheldon added it’s a good idea to plan ahead before setting out on your hike.
“Knowing ahead of time where you’re planning to hike can prevent the one-mile adventure you prepared for from turning into a six-mile adventure,” she said.
Maps of all Five Rivers MetroParks trails are available at www.metroparks.org and at trailhead kiosks.
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS: Celebrating more than 50 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, high-quality river corridors, urban parks and a network of recreation trails. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275).
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