Guanella Pass
A paved scenic byway to 11,669 feet, with fall aspens, willow flats and Mount Bierstadt right off the road.
About Guanella Pass
Guanella Pass links Georgetown on I-70 with Grant on US 285, climbing to 11,669 feet along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. The route is fully paved: about 11 miles from Georgetown to the summit and roughly 13.5 miles down the south side to Grant.
The summit area is broad and open, with willow-filled wetlands, small ponds and the bulk of Mount Bierstadt (14,060 feet) to the east. Trails head east to Bierstadt and west toward Square Top Mountain and its lakes, so you can photograph serious alpine scenery with almost no walking.
In mid to late September, the aspen groves on both sides of the pass turn gold, and Guanella becomes one of the most popular fall color drives near Denver.
An 11,670-foot scenic byway between Georgetown and Grant, sitting above treeline with Mount Bierstadt, Mount Blue Sky, and the Sawtooth ridge all visible from the summit area. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep both turn up regularly enough here that it's worth keeping a telephoto within reach even if you came purely for the landscape.
History
The pass was named in 1953 for Byron Guanella, who served Clear Creek County as a road supervisor and commissioner for nearly 50 years. The road connects two mining-era valleys: Georgetown, in the Clear Creek valley to the north, and Grant, in the Geneva Creek valley to the south.
Today the route is the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway and a primary gateway to Mount Bierstadt, one of the most climbed fourteeners in Colorado because its trailhead starts at the top of the pass.
Photographing Guanella Pass
Best light: Sunrise is the move at the summit: Mount Bierstadt and the Sawtooth sit to the east, so you can shoot the alpenglow on the Square Top side to the west or a backlit sunrise silhouette of Bierstadt over the willows. In fall, mid-morning light on the aspens of the Georgetown side is beautiful once the sun clears the ridges.
Shots to look for
- Square Top Mountain reflected in the ponds near the summit at sunrise, 16-35mm
- Mount Bierstadt and the Sawtooth rising above golden willows, 24-105mm
- Aspen-lined switchbacks on the Georgetown side, telephoto from a legal pullout
- Duck Lake and the Clear Lake area on the north side with fall color
- Moose in the willow flats near the summit at dawn, 100-500mm
Photo tips
- Parking is strictly enforced: no shoulder parking within a half mile of the summit, and tickets and towing are common
- Arrive before dawn in fall; the summit lots fill very early on September weekends
- Moose frequent the willows; keep a long distance
- A polarizer helps with reflections and fall foliage saturation
- Afternoon storms roll over Bierstadt in summer; shoot mornings
Know before you go
- Clear Creek County enforces parking with fines; park only in designated lots, at green 'Parking' signs, or fully off the road where allowed
- During peak leaf-peeping, the road may close temporarily to new traffic if crowds block emergency access
- The road is not maintained in winter; a gate on the Georgetown side marks the winter closure
- Altitude near 11,700 feet; even short walks can feel hard
Frequently asked questions
Is Guanella Pass paved?
Yes. The entire route from Georgetown to US 285 at Grant is paved.
When do the aspens peak on Guanella Pass?
Usually mid to late September, depending on the year. Weekends during peak color are extremely busy.
Is Guanella Pass open in winter?
The road isn't maintained in winter and often closes after the first heavy snow, with a closure gate on the Georgetown side.
Featured in: Best Fall Color Spots in Colorado · Best Sunrise Photography Spots in Colorado · Winter Photography Spots in Colorado
Combine it with
Georgetown · Mount Bierstadt · Three Mile Creek · Kenosha Pass
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · clearcreekcounty.us. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.