Читать книгу Five-Star Trails: Charlotte. Your Guide to the Area's Most Beautiful Hikes онлайн

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Spring and fall are long and mild and are the best times for hiking anywhere in and around the city. Spring weather can be volatile, however: a warm, beautiful, sunny day can turn into a cold and rainy one in a matter of hours. Visitors flock to the most popular trails in the fall, as the leaves begin to turn and display their colors. During these peak seasons, you should consider hiking early in the morning or during weekdays to avoid crowds.

Winter brings the city comparatively mild temperatures that only occasionally drop below freezing. The same can’t be said for the higher elevations surrounding Charlotte, though—there you’ll encounter frigid, below-freezing temperatures and occasionally snow, sleet, and hail. So plan accordingly in terms of attire and, very importantly, in terms of time: winter daylight hours are short, especially if you are hiking in forested areas.

The following chart lists average temperatures and precipitation by month for the Charlotte region. For each month, “Hi Temp” lists the average daytime high, “Lo Temp” lists the average nighttime low, and “Rain or Snow” lists the average precipitation. Expect cooler temperatures in the higher elevations, especially those in South Mountains and Morrow Mountain state parks.