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The elevation gain, together with the round trip distance of 18 miles
makes this a strenuous day hike. The lower portion of the trail is
sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "Scott Gomer Trail"
because of its location along Scott Gomer Creek, named for an early logger
in the valley. This trail, in combination with the Threemile and Rosalie
Trails, offers some interesting extended hikes through other portions of
the Mt. Evans Wilderness.
The first half of the Abyss Lake Trail heads in a northeasterly
direction up the Scott Gomer Creek drainage. Shortly after the first
crossing of the Scott Gomer Creek, Mt. Bierstadt will come into view ahead
and on your left. After the third crossing of Scott Gomer Creek you will
reach a trail junction with the Rosalie Trail. Here the Abyss Lake Trail
joins the Rosalie Trail and turns to the northwest. For the next short
distance you will be on both the Abyss Lake and Rosalie Trails. At the
next junction, the Rosalie Trail continues up to Guanella Pass, and the
Abyss Lake Trail bears right across several small streams, then begins a
series of fairly steep switchbacks, bearing again in a northeasterly
direction. The trail leaves the trees and enters thick willows just to the
southwest of the small lake labeled as "11730" on the quad map.
After leaving the lake, you will continue up the valley through the
willows until you cross the Lake Fork stream draining out of Abyss Lake.
From this point the trail begins to head in a more westerly direction
across the tundra. Abyss Lake Trail terminates at Abyss Lake.
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