Desert-dwelling hikers endure our hot summers partly by dreaming of long treks in the sweet weather of October and beyond. But in September, before attempting those ambitious journeys, it's a good idea to shake out the kinks on a few shorter hikes.

The Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, Utah, is one of the better places to warm up before tackling one of the park's more strenuous trails. Or if you're just looking for a thorough leg-stretch after the drive from Las Vegas, this will do the job nicely.