It’s easy to let the extreme heat of late August convince you that summer is never going to end. But don’t let it fool you—the final days of summer are just around the corner.
For many, the beginning of cooler weather during the fall and winter months brings relief. For others, the end of summer seems to mean the end of fun in the sun and the beginning of long days spent inside trying to stay warm and away from the elements. But the change in weather doesn’t have to put an end to Live Riveted adventures in the great outdoors.
If you’re in need of some inspiration to keep your adventures going all year long, here are 5 great ways to Live Riveted during the cooler months:
1.Visit Death Valley, California—The colder months of fall and winter are the perfect times to visit the driest, lowest and hottest place in North America. In October, the intense heat fades away a bit to temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees, and even the winter months, you’ll experience temperatures around 65 degrees. Some fun activities to do while your there include biking through the sand dunes to the freshwater springs, hiking Zabriskie Point which overlooks the Panamint Range, and visiting Badwater, which at 282 feet below sea level is the lowest elevation in the country.
2. Ride the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in Taos, New Mexico—Biking the 86-mile Enchanted Circle loop into the Sangre de Christo mountains is an experience year-round, but the trail really lives up to its name during the fall when the exotic local foliage turns brilliant shades of red, yellow and purple. The ride covers stunning canyons, flat farmlands and the 9,109-foot-high Palo Flechado Pass. If you go between September 27 and October 6, you will catch the local art, crafts, music, films and more at the Taos Fall Arts Festival.
3. Run the Deschutes River Trail in Bend, Oregon—The fairly flat trails of the Upper Deschutes River area are a perfect destination for runners, trailblazers and nature-lovers alike. The trails pass along the picturesque river, tumbling white waterfalls and jagged black lava flows, which provide awesome scenery for a run. However, nothing will compare to the amazing gold leaves of the riverside willows in early to mid October. Before you leave, make sure you stop by Benham Falls overlook, which provides a stunning view of the 100-yard-long maelstrom in the area.
4. Tour the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah—If you’re looking for a unique winter adventure, this one is just for you! The Wasatch Mountain Range is known for its world-class ski resorts, as well as miles and miles of biking and hiking trails and incredible rock climbing and mountaineering opportunities. During the winter months, however, one of the area’s main attractions is ski touring. Visitors can go on a daylong guided tour across 21 miles and visit six Wasatch Range ski resorts for just $250: an experience you won’t forget.
5. Go dogsledding in New England—Dog sledding has become a more and more popular winter activity in the New England area, and for good reason! Lead a team of Alaskan sled dogs through the forest wildernesses of Maine and New Hampshire by learning how to harness, hook up and shout commands like a pro. Some popular places for this unique winter sport include the Bethel, Mail/Sunday River Ski Area, the North Conway, New Hampshire region and the Grafton Notch Umbagog Lake Wildlife Refuge area in Dixville Notch.
While we think these 5 adventures are great ways to Live Riveted in colder weather, they certainly aren’t the only ways! Do you have a favorite Live Riveted adventure for the fall and winter months? We’d love to hear! Please let us know by commenting or sharing photos on our Facebook page.
Photo by: Kevin Selena
