Every autumn, I look forward to seeing the aspens change color in the mountains of northern New Mexico. This year, I traveled to Aspen Vista Trail near Santa Fe with my painting supplies, hoping to capture the brilliant yellow foliage before the season passed. The hike was more demanding than I anticipated, particularly with the weight of my supplies and the steady uphill climb, but the experience was well worth the effort.

One of the things I find most interesting about aspen forests is how much their appearance changes as they mature. Younger groves are often crowded with hundreds of thin, closely spaced trees, making it difficult to see very far into the forest. Older groves can look entirely different. Their trunks are taller and thicker, with more space between them, allowing you to walk freely and see much farther through the trees. The trunks also develop fascinating shapes, textures, and markings that give each tree its own character. This was one of the most beautiful mature aspen groves I had ever visited, and it quickly became my new favorite forest.

What struck me most was the intensity of the autumn color. The foliage was concentrated high above me, forming a canopy of brilliant yellow against an incredibly blue sky. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm yellow glow throughout the forest. It seemed as though everything around me had taken on that color, and I wanted to capture that effect in my painting.

Despite the remarkable colors overhead, the forest itself was incredibly quiet. I felt completely safe and undisturbed beneath the trees. There was even a distinctive smell in the air that I still cannot quite describe. It was one of those experiences that is difficult to fully communicate without having been there.

I am glad I made the effort to carry my supplies into this forest. Experiences like this remind me why I enjoy painting outdoors, even when reaching a location requires a little extra work. I hope to continue building my strength so that I can explore more places like this in the years ahead.