[at-l] Hiking in Autumn

[Bror8588 at aol.com (Bror8588@aol.com)]

In a message dated 9/28/2005 8:24:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
gwbrown1@gmail.com writes:

Ah,  speaking of hiking it's finally start to cool off.  This is some
of my  favorite hiking weather of the year.  I'd like to hit some more
trails  in Eastern NC or perhaps walk the entire sound and sea side of
the Core  Banks.. something about slowing down and walking really opens
up the  mind.



The State of New Jersey puts out a neat magazine called Skylands, which 
covers several counties in the Northwestern part of the state  (but not Skylands 
State Park).  In the latest issue there was an article  about Rattlesnakes 
(Timber Rattlers) which are plentiful in NJ and said that  they are beginning to 
return to their dens.  The article was all about  "tagging" (not playing tag) to 
identify them and keep track of their  whereabouts.  It was an interesting 
piece.  
 
Since the leaves are beginning to fall on the trail, and the Rattlers (and  
Copperheads, for that matter) are returning to their dens is there any  
indication that Hikers are being bitten more than at other times of the  year?  Is it 
more dangerous to hike in the nice cool Autumnal weather  months than, say, 
in the heat of summer? 
 
Winter is probably the safest month to walk in the woods (in regard to  
snakes anyway) even though it is more uncomfortable for those who get cold  easily.
 
What do you think?