Getting outdoors is one of life's simple joys. And taking a hike in the fall, whether short or long, easy or difficult, under sunny skies or cloudy, is a refreshing antidote to hours of sitting at a desk or in traffic, or watching the tube.

We tend to allow work, carpooling, errands, and chores around the house to consume our days off, rarely considering the benefits of just going for a walk. Try setting aside a morning, an afternoon, or even an entire day to get outdoors. It takes no more effort than saying, "Let's go!"

The beauty of day hiking in the fall is its simplicity. You don't need a ton of expensive equipment. You don't need years of experience or hours of prep time. At a mimimum, it's just you and your legs and a path to walk on. Hikes can be just a couple hours up a nearby trail, a loop in the closest city or state park, or an all-day affair up into the big mountains. Just getting out for a few hours can clear the cobwebs of the day, spark new ideas, and open the mind for discovery.

One of my best memories occurred while day hiking in the fall. I really saw the splendor of fall foliage once I left my car and went for a day hike in the White Mountains. I leafed through a treefield guide we were carrying and identified many variety of trees within minutes. Further up above treeline, I also discovered the last remaining alpine flowers and realized how rare it is to see these tiny flowers out in the wild. These finds were so exciting and who knew such beauty was so close to where I lived? I wouldn't have known unless I had made the time to hike.

If motivation is a problem, combine one of your interests with taking a fall hike, and consider going with a friend. Look for hikes that feature the best wildflowers or places where you can bird-watch. Consider a walk along a river bank or beach. Get out for that last glimpse of fall colors. If you thrive on goals and measurements, monitor your heart rate and log your miles. Set a goal for making a weekly walk or hike part of your regime, and gradually increase your mileage. Here are several reasons why day hiking is such an easy pleasure:

• Day hikes require little time.
• The gear list for a day hike is minimal.
• The skill level for day hiking is also minimal.
• The chance for discovery is always great.

What to take with you on a day hike in the fall

How long you stay out will determine what you will take. Here are the minimum requirements: 

Clothing. Before embarking on your day hike, make sure you've dressed properly. Cotton and other natural fibers are great in the summer time, but they retain moisture and will often fail to keep you warm on the trail in cool weather. Leave your cotton T-shirts and denim jeans at home. Look to wool or synthetic materials, such as polypropylene, and dress in several layers so that you can add and subtract clothing according to the temperature and your activity level.

I usually start with synthetic top and bottom underwear. I’ll place a synthetic shirt over my upper body and maybe top it off with a fleece vest depending on the temperature. During stops I’ll pull on a heavier fleece for my upper body.

Many people don’t know what to wear besides denim jeans. On warmer days, nylon shorts over my polypropelene underwear bottoms work fine. On colder days, nylon rain pants work great and are not too expensive.

Footwear. You may not need big beefy leather boots, but wear something you will be comfortable with when walking through muddy sections of trail, over rock, and for long distances. In late November and December, wearing a pair of pac boots like Sorels will help ensure your feet stay dry, comfortable and warm.

Socks. With colder temperatures your feet can become cold. Wearing thicker socks will help but not at the expense of making your boots fit too snugly around your feet. Your tight boots will restrict circulation and actually make your feet colder. Try a pair of specially designed hiking socks. These socks will wick moisture away from your feet, and the extra padding in the heel and toes will make the hiking miles easy. Avoid cotton.

Rain gear. A cold wind can be brutal in late fall and it can still rain, so some sort of weatherproof outer layer is a great idea. Rain can get cold in fall, especially in the mountains. It is always best to carry rain gear with you even if the forecast is warm and dry.

Wool Hat and gloves. A warm hat, gloves, and scarf (I prefer using a fleece neck gaiter) will round out your ensemble and will help to keep the wind off of your skin.

Eye protection. Namely, sunglasses. If you're squinting, your eyes are taking a beating. And if it becomes windy, you've got protection.

Water.Despite the lower temperatures, your body still needs a good supply of liquids while you hike. Remember to take plenty of water. Take at least 2 quarts. If it's particularly cold out, you can put warm water in your bottle to prevent it from freezing. Place it in an insulated water bottle parka or wool sock. If you have a water bottle parka, place your bottle upside down so that the lid does not freeze (water freezes in the bottle from the top). Another tip is to warm cold water for a few seconds in your mouth before you swallow it, so as to not cool your body's core. Bringing along a small thermos of hot chocolate does wonders for picking up your spirits on a very cold day.

Food. You don't need to carry a lot of food. Sometimes just snacking along the trail may be enough. But, for those long days that cover long miles, you'll want to carry a big lunch and even bring extra food to snack on.

Field Guidebooks. I find it very frustrating to be hiking and see a flower or a bird I can't identify, and there I am left to only wonder. Field guides are small, easy to pack, and real handy to have along on the trail. 

Maps. The purpose of maps is to see where you're going - not see where you've been. Always carry a map with you on your hike. I see too many hikers buying their maps after their trip. That doesn't make much sense.

Packs. Whether you plan to hike all day or just for an hour, you will need a pack to carry your supplies for the day. For hikes lasting a few hours, try a lumbar pack without shoulder straps. The extra freedom of movement and lightness is a pleasure when hiking. For an all-day affair you will need a larger daypack. How you choose your pack is quite personal. Look for proper fit, features, and enough capacity to hold all you need for the day.

A space blanket is a small, thin blanket that will keep you warm in case you get stuck on the trail. They weigh practically nothing and are an essential cold weather item. Hand Warmers, which are chemically treated packets that heat up, are another good light-weight addition to your pack… put one in each of your gloves, and keep a spare set in you pack for emergencies. A spare set of socks is important. Put them in a zip-lock bag so that you'll have dry socks if your feet get wet. Regardless of the temperature, always carry a small headlamp or flashlight, a zip-lock bag of matches;a pocketknife, toilet paper and a small first-aid kit containing moleskin, bandaids, Advil, gauzes, and antiseptic.

Common sense
Day hikes in the fall can be as easy or as difficult as you like depending on terrain and distance. But just because the amount of time you will be out hiking is limited, this is no reason to leave common sense behind.

• Keep an eye on the weather. If you don't have the proper gear for the conditions or lack the experience of handling a late fall rain and/or snow storm, then stay indoors.
• Know what to expect on the trail. If you are in bear or mountain lion country, take proper precautions and know how to behave to protect both yourself and the animal.
• Practice "Leave No Trace" (www.lnt.org) ethics. Even on day hikes you can have a negative impact on the land, and certainly that is not our intention.
• On a long hike, let someone know your itinerary.

Day hiking in the fall is the pace of leisure. Fast or slow. Short or long. Get out and hike - you won't be disappointed!