Guanella Pass between Grant and Georgetown, CO

A Great Drive for Viewing Colorado Fall Colors

Sep 28, 2009

A National Scenic Byway from Grant to Georgetown affords excellent views of turning Aspens, within an hour's drive from Denver.

There’s nothing like seeing Aspens in full peak on a sunny Autumn day in Colorado. One of the most beautiful stretches of winding mountain road can be found close to Denver, only an hour or so from the city. The route is a lush, winding dirt and paved road, lined with Aspens and Cottonwoods, leading through the Pike National Forest. The drive can include a hike, picnic, and numerous pullouts for photo opportunities.

How to Get to Guanella Pass

To get to Guanella Pass, take US 285 out of Denver, south towards Fairplay. About 40 minutes south of Conifer, at the tiny town of Grant, a sign marks the road for Guanella Pass and Georgetown. The road is not always open all the way to Georgetown and I-70. It is mostly paved, but there are unpaved sections along the 22-mile stretch from Grant.

Turn right and head up the unpaved portion for a few miles. The first stop on the left is Whiteside picnic grounds. A hiking trail starts here which crosses Geneva Creek and continues up into the forest to the south.

Several more miles up the hill, the Aspens, richly golden in hue, start to thicken, and the drive goes from scenic to spectacular. As the road climbs up towards Guanella Pass at the top, views of distant snow-capped peaks await at every turn. There are several more hiking trails marked alongside the road on the way to the top, and any one of these will afford a splendid aspen-scented walk.

Hiking and Picnicking up Guanalla Pass

About twenty minutes into the drive, on the right, there is a parking lot at the base of the Abyss trail, which eventually leads to 14-er Mt. Bierstadt. Also found here is the trailhead for Threemile trail, a more moderate yet still quite scenic option. Adjacent to this parking lot, further down the road and also on the right, is the Burning Bear Campground, which offers day use of the picnic tables for $5.00.

Another picnic option awaits a few minutes farther down the road. A sign marks the turn for Duck Creek Picnic Area and the road descends a bit into shady forest, where more trails, a campground along the stream, and a picnic area can be found.

Continuing on the drive, the road begins to switchback up to the top of Guanella Pass, where the elevation reaches 11, 669 and the views grow stunning.

More Things to See and Do Near Guanella Pass

If the road is open, it continues all the way to the quaint town of Georgetown, full of restaurants and shops and an easy drive back to Denver along I-70. Otherwise, the route ends just beyond the pass. The views on the return trip down are no less awesome than they were on the way to the top.

For those who want more than just a roadside picnic, there is often a barbeque stand set up at the base of FR118, easy to spot as it meets Hwy. 285 in Grant. Another inviting place to stop and dine along the way is Sweet Fanny Adams Irish Pub in Bailey, and for the kids, the Coney Island hot dog, now located in Bailey, is a must stop. There are also several restaurants in Conifer, including Ravens and JJ Madwells.

The copyright of the article Guanella Pass between Grant and Georgetown, CO in Colorado Travel is owned by Candace Kearns Read. Permission to republish Guanella Pass between Grant and Georgetown, CO in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.