Post by @workfromdenver

(conditions as of 9/18/26) still can’t believe I hiked nine miles, but documenting this stunning hike at peak fall color was 100% worth it! 🍂🥾 “Abyss Trail to Helms Lake” is technically a 12.6 mile hike rated “hard” on AllTrails, but you can create your own adventure depending on where you turn around: • for the easiest hike with gorgeous fall colors, you’ll want to make it to the viewpoint ~2.3 miles in! You’ll get a couple short sections of aspen grove, a fun creek crossing, and a gorgeous view of the aspens higher up the mountain at the turnaround point. • for a moderate hike with more aspens, hike to (or a little past) the second major creek crossing ~3.25 miles in. The stretch between the two crossings is pretty much glowing aspens the whole way right now, but be prepared for some mud. • for a longer hike and a view of the higher elevation aspen groves from above, continue on toward Helms Lake! I turned around at 4.5 miles because it looked like it turned into pretty steep switchbacks at that point, and 9 miles total was already pushing it for me lol If you’ve made it past the 4.5 mile mark and think it’s worth it to continue on, pls lmk in the comments!! Always remember to LEAVE NO TRACE, which includes staying on path, even when it’s muddy, and never carving into aspens 🍁 #colorado #fall #Hiking #denver #coloradohikes