Abyss Lake Trail 2024

Leaf-peeping season arrived earlier than I expected this year.  But I got some reports of peak foliage on Guanella Pass in time to drive out there and catch it!

Up at 4:30 a.m., at the Abyss Lake Trailhead before 6:30, and the parking lot was already full!  I didn't have to park too far away, though, and got started while the sky was brightening but the sun had yet to clear the ridgeline.

A couple of miles in where the trail crosses the creek is the first really breathtaking vista.  Most other hikers had stopped there to shoot, as well.

I pressed on for a few minutes, and reached a meadow to the north of the trail that seemed worth bushwhacking through.

My instincts were rewarded by arriving at the creek again to this scene, which was the whole reason I came out.

I fussed a bit and recomposed...

... and recomposed some more, because this for me was exactly what I had hoped to see.

Returning to the trailhead I got a nice peek at the sun through a tree full of golden leaves.

And a nice little grove brightening up its area.

I had already gotten the picture I came for.  Now it was time to brave the traffic on Guanella Pass and see what other views I might find!

Related Links:

• Guanella Pass, Part I (2013)
• Guanella Pass, Part II (2013)