The Best Trail for Painting Fall Colors

Abyss Trail Lower Viewpoint | Original gouache painting available for purchase in my Store

The Abyss Trail is famous for its vibrant fall colors, and so I wanted to experience it during peak week. Knowing it would be crowded with fellow leaf peepers, I arrived at the trailhead at 4:30 a.m., securing a prime parking spot. I just sat there for a while, sipping coffee in the quiet darkness, anticipating the day. By 5am the parking lot was already full!

With my headlamp on, I ventured into the woods around 5:30 a.m., eager to reach the lower viewpoint by sunrise. What greeted me was breathtaking. The early light illuminated a tapestry of bright yellows, deep reds, oranges, and lingering greens. It was a symphony of color that felt almost otherworldly. I couldn’t stop marveling at it.

I hiked a total of twelve miles that day, pausing constantly to absorb the scenery, sketch, and snap photos. At the upper viewpoint, I set up to do a little plein air painting, letting the scene unfold onto my watercolor board while savoring a small snack. Eventually and reluctantly, I decided to head back.

On the way down, I nearly walked right by a massive bull moose standing just off the trail. I carefully made a wide detour to continue my hike. The encounter left me both exhilarated and humbled.

By the time I returned to my Jeep, my body ached with exhaustion but my spirit was overflowing with awe and gratitude. This is the kind of wonder I seek, being immersed in God’s glorious creation, fully alive to the beauty around me. Plein air painting allows me to possess this beauty in a deeper way. It demands attention, observation, and openness, which lets the landscape sink into both memory and being.

I can already tell this will be a tradition I return to every year, chasing the golden glow of autumn, brush in hand, heart wide open. Put it on your painting bucketlist!

If you want to see more of Abyss Trails beautiful colors, I recently posted a YouTube video about my hike. You can check it out HERE.

Original artwork available for purchase in my Store.