What to Wear Hiking in Park City, Utah: Fall Outfit Guide

Park City has more than 400 miles of trail between about 6,500 and nearly 10,000 feet. Low trails such as Round Valley clear in early June, and alpine routes open from June to early November. July highs sit around 81°F, but the daily swing can reach 40°F, and afternoon thunderstorms arrive in July and August, so start early. Aspen colour peaks in late September. The answer is a light base layer, a vest or wind layer, trail shoes, sunglasses and a pack-away rain shell, with a fleece in your bag.

Quick answers When do high trails open? Often June, but trails above 10,000 feet can hold snow into July. What time should I start? Early, to be down before storms. Is there a winter version? See What to Wear Skiing in Park City.

Mornings are cold and afternoons are warm, so the second outfit plans for both. A camel teddy fleece with a brown pocket goes on at the trailhead. A cropped off-white rain jacket is the layer for a thunderstorm window. Black leggings and a light blue baseball cap complete it. The jacket is cropped, which is fine for day hikes and less ideal if you want more coverage.

Outfit one pairs a blush-beige lightweight long-sleeve tee for layering with a black trail vest, light grey-green trail sneakers and tortoiseshell sunglasses. Add your own shorts or leggings. A third formula: wear the black leggings from the second outfit with the first outfit's tee and vest, and keep the rain jacket in your pack. Mid Mountain Trail, about 22 miles at roughly 8,000 feet, is a good reason to start light and carry a layer. Dress for the morning and pack for the afternoon, and be off the ridge before the storms. Come back in winter with What to Wear Skiing in Park City.

I also wrote up What to Wear Hiking in Courchevel and What to Wear Skiing in Park City, Utah, which pairs well with this.