Backpackers have good reasons for heading into the backcountry in autumn even though fall is often a short season, especially at high elevation. Trip planning in autumn is a bit more intricate and requires a few distinct considerations, but these shouldn't deter backpackers who want to experience three-season backpacking in the Sierra to, literally, its bitter end.
Gear
Choose gear for autumn trips with safety and comfort in mind. The most useful autumn gear list is likely to be a blend of summer and winter gear. Fall nights are cold even at lower elevations: Backpackers are likely to want a winter sleeping bag as well as heavier baselayers, a warmer sleeping pad, insulating layers and extra or warmer socks. A windproof fleece hat is a good idea in all seasons in the Sierra, and in autumn, a pair of gloves or mits is recommended as well. Vapor barriers are lightweight insurance for nights that turn out to be colder than anticipated.
Gear preparations for fall depend on the elevation and destination of a backpacking trip. Always tailor your gear selection to the wilderness conditions in which you'll be traveling.
Weather
Weather is changeable in the mountains, but in autumn, the chances of unexpected thunderstorms and snow increase greatly. Precipitation is a more normal occurrence in the Sierra during the fall and, mixed with much cooler temperatures, can pose a serious hazard to the unprepared.
Rain gear and insulating layers are required gear, and backpackers who hike the summer in sandals will want to switch to trailrunners or other sturdy hiking shoes for fall trips. Backpackers should get as much information as they can about forecasted temperatures and precipitation before setting out and be prepared for unexpected storms and even significant snow, especially at elevations above 8,000 feet.
To reduce the likelyhood of unsettled weather or uncomfortable temperatures, head for lower elevations and scenic places that get plenty of sun, and plan for sheltered or less exposed bivies (in forested areas, for example). Plan short trips of two or three days to reduce guesswork where weather is concerned—warnings about changing conditions are unlikely to reach backpackers on trail.
Shorter days, less water
When choosing fall backpacking destinations, bear in mind autumn's shorter days and reduced abundance of water. Backpackers who like to make camp before dark will have less time to hike each day, which may limit the distance covered during an autumn trip. Scenic destinations that lie closer to trailheads may be more realistic and comfortable choices than those that will push the limits of daily hiking time.
The availability of water is an essential element of any trip plan. Streams and seeps along trails that flow in spring and are reliable in summer may be dried up by the early fall, especially before the seasons' rains begin in earnest. Develop trip plans around dependable autumn water sources: large ponds, lakes and larger streams and rivers.
Trail accessibility
Trip plans may depend on trail accessibility in the fall, too. Shuttles have stopped running in the national parks, and many facilities have shut down for the season. In Yosemite, overnight parking is prohibited after October 15 on the Tioga and Glacier Point/Badger Pass Roads, so arranging a ride to trailheads on those roads will be a necessary part of trip planning.
In all three national parks and other wilderness areas, roads can close because of snowfall, even as early as October. Access to some areas—Mineral King and Cedar Grove, for example—is limited after November 1.
Hunting season
A final consideration for trip planning is hunting season. In the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests and the Sequoia National Monument near Fresno, hunting season commences in mid-September and lasts through fall. For some, the presence of hunters may add an undesirable risk to backpacking trips.
California has no blaze orange law, so hunters may be hard to spot. Backpackers should wear brightly colored clothing to increase their visibility to hunters. The U.S. Forest Service also recommends staying on trail and hiking with a partner during hunting season. Hunting is not allowed in Yosemite, Kings Canyon or Sequoia National Parks.
Even as winter approaches, the wilderness areas close to Fresno provide ample opportunity to enjoy the backcountry. Backpackers will find plenty to see and explore in autumn in the Sierra, especially at lower elevation. Planning a trip in the fall may require a bit more forethought and research than it does in summer, but these efforts will certainly be rewarded. Backpackers who take trips to the Sierra in the fall are bound to have sights and experiences that are impossible in other seasons.
See also:
Slideshow
Autumn backpacking in the Sierra: Reasons to plan a trip
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