September is a perfect lead-in to winter

Take a look at the calendar, and you may be amazed to find that it's already September. The last four months of summer have gone by like a blur, but there is still time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

September is a great time to take an extended weekend for one last camping trip before you have to break out the winter gear. Nothing beats waking up in a frost-lined tent, adding vigor to the morning and a freshness to the air.

If March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, then September must be the counterpart.

Early September can be mild temperature-wise, but by late September, freezing temperatures and even -- gasp -- snow can sometimes be found. That's why it's important to be prepared for all weather conditions when you head outside this time of year.

There are several places where you can go for a hike, a camping trip or a day of fishing.

Hiking. Grab a copy of "50 Hikes in Alaska's Chugach State Park" and you'll be well on your way to several weekend's worth of activity. The book lists 50 hikes that range from easy to very difficult, and the trailheads for all hikes are within a few hours' drive from the Valley.

Hatcher Pass is a nice spot to spend a day, with numerous hikes that range in difficulty. Farther north on the Parks Highway, there are several opportunities to get out and stretch your legs, all the way to Cantwell.

Fishing. The salmon have all come and gone, and now you won't have to fight crowds. Trout and grayling fishing is only stating to heat up as the temperature falls, and now is the time to hit that out of the way spot you've been talking about. The Denali Highway has many small streams that have great grayling fishing in, and you can get to it in a few hours.

Chances are, you can fish all day and not see another person during the fall. Make sure to check the regulations, because some streams have different rules for trout and grayling than they do for salmon.

Berry picking. It's a bit late in the season, but with some work, you can get into some decent berries. Jams, jellies and pies taste so much sweeter when they are made with berries you've picked yourself.

Camping. While you can get by with your summer gear, you may want a warmer sleeping bag, and make sure to dress warm. During the night, temperatures dip dramatically, and while that crispness is nice, it can get downright cold if you aren't prepared. If you travel off the road to camp, make sure you have enough food and water to last you in case of an emergency.

Photography. The fall can be a photographer's dream, as yellow leaves coincide with red berries, blue skies and warm sunsets.

Take some slow film and a tripod with you on your next outing, and you'll come back with some fantastic fall photos. Plus, as an added bonus, more wildlife tend to be more visible, as moose start coming down to the lower portions of the Valley.

Remember that no matter what you do, you are sharing the outdoors with a lot of other creatures, and that means being aware of your surroundings. Bears can be a danger that you should prepare for because the often congregate around salmon streams at this time of year, feasting on the carcasses of the dying fish.

Make noise and let bears know you are coming, and avoid real dense forested areas so you don't surprise them.

With a little preparation, September can be a great time to get one last fun trip in before the winter hits -- and brings with it more outings, but in much different conditions.