Traditionally in hiking circles (my hiking circle, at least), Labor Day marks the end of summer and the start of the fall hiking season. It may technically still be summer (fall doesn’t officially arrive until 5:05 a.m. on September 23) and the temperatures may not typically drop noticeably (though they will this week) but in our minds, it’s fall. School is in, football has started — lace up the Vasques and let’s go.

To get you in the mood, here’s a slideshow featuring my Ultimate Hikers on my new favorite trail: the new stretch of Mountains-to-Sea Trail along the Eno River from the Cabe Lands Access downstream to the Pump Station Access. It’s 4 miles of up-and-down hiking with some sweet views of the Eno below.

Check out the show, then check out the trail by checking in at out sister site, NCHikes.com, where you’ll also find recommended hikes for the month of September and lots of additional information to get you into a hiking frame of mind now that fall is (sorta) here.