Coffee & Color: A Fall Field Guide

Written By Taylor Runge

Fall in Ohio doesn’t mess around. The air sharpens, trails turn into rivers of gold and red, and suddenly that thermos of hot coffee feels like essential gear. This guide is for anyone looking to pair the best season of the year with the best ritual we know: coffee outside.

Why It Hits Different in Fall

Cool mornings flip a switch — coffee isn’t just fuel, it’s comfort. A warm mug in your hands, steam mixing with your breath, and the smell of roasted beans cutting through the chill. Simple, necessary, perfect.

Where to Find the Colors

Here in Loudonville, Mohican State Park is hard to beat. The Gorge Overlook, Lyons Falls, or even a short walk near the covered bridge will put you right in the middle of it.

Not local? You don’t need to be. Any backroad, local trail, or even a quiet park will do. Fall has a way of making familiar places feel brand new.

Brewing in the Wild

Keep it uncomplicated:

  • Thermos Method: Brew strong at home, pour it hot, and hit the trail.

  • Camp Coffee: AeroPress, pour-over, or the classic cowboy boil over a fire — whatever you can carry, it’ll taste better outside.

  • Pro Tip: Freshly ground beans make all the difference, even if you’re just brewing in the parking lot before the hike.

🍂 Fall Coffee & Foliage Packing Guide

Don’t overpack, but don’t forget the basics:

  • Layers: Base layer, flannel, and a windbreaker (mornings get chilly fast).

  • Sturdy Footwear: Trails can get slick with leaves.

  • Thermos or Camp Mug: Pre-brew at home or pack your kit for trail-side brewing.

  • Coffee Kit: Grinder + beans + AeroPress/pour-over cone (if you’re going for it).

  • Blanket: Wool or packable down for sitting, sipping, and leaf-watching.

  • Snacks: Apple, donut, or something hearty to pair with your coffee.

  • Daypack: Keep it light but big enough for layers and your coffee setup.

  • Notebook / Camera (optional): For when the colors stop you in your tracks.

Make It Yours

Pack an apple cider donut, coffee, sip slow, and don’t overthink it. The colors don’t last forever — that’s what makes them worth chasing. Coffee just makes the chase better.

Taylor Runge