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Guanella Pass
Georgetown side of Guanella Pass.

Guanella Pass Byway – Georgetown-Grant

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Guanella Pass passes through two national forests on its way from I-70 to US 285. It begins in Georgetown, CO, in the Arapaho National Forest and climbs to 11,669 feet in 12 miles. After the summit, it crosses into the Pike National Forest, before ending in Grant.

It’s breathtaking the whole way and definitely worth a trip, which takes about an hour. September and early October are two of the most popular times to drive the pass, with beautiful fall foliage everywhere. Both sides of the pass offer something unique, with plenty of forests and mountains to explore.

National Scenic Byway b/w I-70 and Hwy 285

Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
Summit of Guanella Pass; Mt Bierstadt in distance.

Guanella Pass is a remarkable drive between two major highways. This national scenic byway connects I-70 and Georgetown, to the north, with Highway 285 and Grant, to the south.

It begins directly from downtown Georgetown and quickly climbs 12 miles to its summit at 11,669 feet. The whole drive to Grant takes about an hour.

Camping and hiking are the main activities on the byway. Mount Bierstadt (14,065′) is one of the easier 14’ers in the state to hike and is accessible from the Summit Area of the pass. The three-mile trail to the top takes 3 to 6 hours roundtrip. Mt Evans is another 14’er with a trail from the pass. You can also drive up Mt Evans.

Highlights on Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass Georgetown CO Aerial
Looking down on Georgetown around sunset.

(north to south)

  • Georgetown & Georgetown Lake
  • Silverdale Interpretive Site
  • Clear Lake & Campground
  • Silver Dollar Lake Trailhead
  • Guanella Pass Campground
  • Guanella Pass Trailhead
  • Duck Creek Picnic Area
  • Geneva Park Campground
  • Burning Bear Campground
  • Abyss Trailhead
  • Three Mile Trailhead
  • Whiteside Picnic Area
  • Grant

Activities near Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass Hike Colorado
Guanella Pass hike. Photo: Rob Lee

Biking – Some folks bike the pass.

Camping – There are four campgrounds on Guanella Pass, as well as lots of dispersed camping. There are two Arapaho National Forest campgrounds on the Georgetown side and two Pike National Forest on the Grant side.

  • Clear Lake CG – Closest to Georgetown, 8 sites, non-reservable
  • Guanella Pass CG – Just past Clear Lake CG, 18 sites, Reservations
  • Geneva Park CG – Grant side, 26 sites, Reservations
  • Burning Bear CG – Near Grant, 13 sites, Reservations
  • Dispersed camping is available just after Clear Lake Campground (about 10 minutes outside of Georgetown). There are plenty of spots directly off the road, throughout the byway, except in the summit area. There are also lots of free dispersed camping spots on both sides of the pass. Sites can be found within 5 minutes of Georgetown.
  • Read about the camping near Grant and Guanella Pass.
  • Read about the camping near Georgetown and Guanella Pass.

Fishing – Georgetown Lake and Clear Lake are the closest to Georgetown. There are also a few lakes along the pass.

Hiking – Beautiful trails are found dotted along the pass. Most of the big hikes though are at the summit. A 1/4 mile hike overlooks the valley.

  • At the top are big 13K-peaks and the 14,065 foot Mount Bierstadt. It’s a 3-mile hike (one-way) up 2,391 feet to the top of it.
  • Silver Dollar Lake is a 1.75-mile (one-way) hike from the top.
Landscape, Silver Dollar Lake, Colorado
Silver Dollar Lake by Guanella Pass, Colorado. Photo: reid.neureiter

Horseback Riding – Horses are allowed on certain multi-use trails.

Hunting – Permitted in parts of the federal land during appropriate seasons.

OHV – There are several forest service roads that allow off-highway vehicles.

Winter Recreation – The pass may close if there is avalanche risk. Otherwise, trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Getting There

Guanella Pass Road Closed Due to Snow Grant Side
End of the line; Guanella Pass seasonal road closure from Grant side. Photo: David Stillman

The pass is open year-round, weather permitting. It does close in the winter sometimes. The 22-mile, 2WD route takes about an hour and is fine for all cars. From downtown Georgetown, take Co Rd 381/Guanella Pass Road out of either the historic district or in ‘downtown’ Grant on Highway 285.

Guanella Pass Georgetown Aerial View
Aerial view of Georgetown from Guanella Pass Rd.
Guanella Pass Deer
Young deer.
Guanella Pass Dispersed Campsite
Campsite in the morning.
Guanella Pass
Cascades below campsite.
Guanella Pass Dispersed Campsite
Another dispersed campsite.
Guanella Pass
A creekside site.
Guanella Pass Clear Lake
Low water at Clear Lake.
Guanella Pass Clear Lake
Clear Lake is open to fishing.
Guanella Pass South Clear Creek
South Clear Creek.
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
The byway is paved on the Georgetown side.
Guanella Pass Summit Area
The Summit Area is where most of the trails are.
Guanella Pass
Mt. Bierstadt on the right and the Sawtooth in the center.
Guanella Pass Trail
A trail to an overlook.
Guanella Pass Summit
Looking north from the summit.
Guanella Pass Summit
Looking southwest.
Guanella Pass Duck Lake
Duck Lake, south of the summit. The former Geneva Basin Ski Area was on the distance hill on left (it closed in 1984).
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
Heading south to Grant.
Guanella Pass Dispersed Camping
Looking back toward the summit.
Guanella Pass Fire Pit
A great fire pit.
Guanella Pass
Campsites beside Duck Creek.
Guanella Pass
A Pike National Forest campground near Grant.
Guanella Pass
An unnamed pond.
Guanella Pass Lake
Spillway.
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
Nice scenery.
Guanella Pass Waterfall
Waterfall along the pass.
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
The road becomes dirt on the lower part of the Grant side.
Guanella Pass Al's Pits Barbecue
Al’s Pits Barbecue at the end of the pass.
Guanella Pass Grant CO
This scenic byway ends in Grant on Hwy 285.
Guanella Pass Clear Lake
Clear Lake is the first lake on the pass, after Georgetown Lake
Guanella Pass Dispersed Camping Georgetown
Dispersed camping site near Georgetown.
Guanella Pass Georgetown
Looking back towards Georgetown.
Guanella Pass Summit
Guanella Pass summit.
Guanella Pass Summit Sunset
Sunset over the summit.
Guanella Pass Summit
More summit views.
Guanella Pass Summit Lake
Lake at the summit.
Guanella Pass Summit
Clouds at the summit.
Guanella Pass Summit Area
Guanella Pass Summit Area.
Guanella Pass Continental Divide
Continental Divide follows the pass.
Guanella Pass South Side
Heading down the south side of the pass.
Guanella Pass Geneva Creek
Primitive camping spot Geneva Creek on the Grand-side.
Guanella Pass Dispersed Camping
More primitive camping. This time shared with cows.
Guanella Pass Lake
Secluded lake near some camping.
Guanella Pass Lake Fetch
Fetch!
Guanella Pass
Georgetown side of Guanella Pass.

 

Details

Address: Guanella Pass, Georgetown to Grant, CO

Season: April – November

Length: 24 miles

Roads: 2WD, Free

Map: Guanella Pass (.jpg)

Campground Reservations:

  • Guanella Pass
  • Geneva Park
  • Burning Bear

Website: codot.gov/…

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