Finding Inspiration on the Trail This Fall

Every year when the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, I find myself drawn back to the trail. Fall has always been my favorite hiking season—not just for the scenery, but for the way it stirs something inside me. It’s the season of transition, and every step reminds me that change, though sometimes difficult, can be profoundly beautiful.

The Beauty of Change

When I walk beneath a canopy of red, orange, and yellow, I’m reminded that nothing in nature stays the same. The leaves give one last brilliant show before they let go. There’s a lesson in that. Endings aren’t just endings—they can be filled with meaning and beauty, too. As John Muir once wrote, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” That line has always resonated with me, and it’s why I made it one of my shirt designs. It captures that deep pull the wilderness has, especially in autumn when the trail feels alive with change.

Perseverance in Every Step

Some days on the trail, the climb is harder. The air is colder, the daylight shorter. But that’s when hiking feels the most rewarding. Fall hiking teaches me to keep moving, even when my body protests. The reward is always worth it—whether it’s a sweeping view from a ridge or simply the peace of finishing a quiet walk through the woods. Out here, perseverance feels less like a chore and more like a gift.

Inspiration in the Quiet

There’s a kind of hush in the woods during fall. Fewer hikers, softer sounds, and only the crunch of leaves under my boots to keep me company. I’ve found that inspiration often comes in those quiet moments—when I pause to breathe, look around, and realize how small my worries are compared to the grandeur of creation.

Carrying the Trail With Me

When I created Eagle Ridge Threads, it wasn’t just about making shirts. It was about capturing this very feeling—the inspiration the trail gives us. Simple designs. Bold reminders. Words and images that echo what nature whispers when we slow down enough to listen. Wearing one of these shirts feels, to me, like carrying a piece of the trail wherever I go.

Final Thoughts

This fall, I’ll keep lacing up my boots and heading into the woods, because the trail has more to teach me. It reminds me that change is part of life, that perseverance builds strength, and that inspiration is everywhere if I’m willing to look for it.

And maybe that’s what I love most about hiking in autumn: it doesn’t just show me the world’s beauty—it reminds me to live with courage, gratitude, and adventure in my own journey.

PS: If that John Muir line speaks to you too, check out our “The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Go” hiking tee.