Outdoor editor’s note: Fall is a great, maybe perfect, time of year for a hike. The cool temperatures and rusted-autumn scenery make for a great adventure. Just keep an eye out for bears, which can be more active this time of year. And just think, in a month or so, you will have to break out the snowshoes.

Featured hiking trail: Mid Thompson Trail

Location: Southwest of Carbondale

Difficulty: Easy

Trail use: Light

Length: 3.7 miles

Elevation beginning and end: 8,000’-9,800’

Getting there: From Carbondale take County Road 108 southwest for about 7 miles before turning left onto an unmarked dirt road that heads immediately downhill. Stay on that road for 2.5 miles to a stream crossing and follow the road for another mile and a half and take the right fork onto county road 306.

The parking area is at the end of the railroad grade. From the parking area, the trailhead which is about 100 feet before the stream crossing.

Highlights: Hikers travel through aspen groves and open meadows with some wild flowers. Cattle graze in this area, so please leave gates in the position that you find them. Horses are often used in the area all year long, especially during the fall hunting seasons.