Guanella Pass Road - Colorado

Overview: This 23 mile road (partial dirt, partial paved, always bumpy), rambles it's way from Georgetown Colorado just off of I-70, over the Guanella Pass, and back down to the tiny town of Grant (off US 285).  The road is open year round and provides some amazing photography opportunities including huge "14er" mountain tops, crystal clean mountain streams, beautiful cascading waterfalls, and high tundra valleys.

Photography Details

Heading over the pass from Grant there is about an eight mile stretch were photographers can pull over and check out the mountains stream which parallels the road.  It is crystal clear and bounces its way through beautiful pine forests.   The boulders which make the stream's bedrock are very large and provide great platforms for on which to take photos from the middle of the river, as long as you don't mind doing a bit of rock hopping.   During the spring melt you will want to be careful as the stream gets more like a raging river.  You do not want to fall in, not only due to the dangerous currents, but the water is exceptionally cold (it was snow just an hour ago).

About half way from Grant to the bottom of the Guanella Pass Southern switchbacks, you'll come across a lovely mountain glade, with open wetlands, aspen trees and quaint bole fences which make for really nice "Western Living" shots.  There is also a trail head with parking.  It might be worth your while to stop and have a snack here, maybe take a short hike up the trail.

Just before the road goes from relatively flat to very steep (about eight miles in), you can park your car at the bottom of the switchbacks and make your way toward the stream.  Here you will find that the stream has essentially turned into waterfalls.  Break out your neutral density filter for this as you will want to make use of those long exposures to get the coolest water effects.   This area is not path accessible.  That means you will be "bushwhacking" your way up the side of the falls.  So wear your waterproof boots, keep your gear in a backpack and be prepared to get on your hands a few times.  But believe me, it worth it! 

Next you will make your way up the switchbacks to the top of the pass.   Along the way you will see a really attractive mountain lake that you will want to go explore because it's so pretty.  Sorry, you cannot.   This is private land and the owners make that very clear.   So enjoy the view and continue to the top.  Once at the top of the Guanella Pass you will find two parking areas complete with toilets (note: no running water).  Views of Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt will have you snapping photos a plenty, but be sure to use your creativity here.  The sizes and distances are vast and won't come across in your photos without some sort of reference.  Try and place attractive objects in the foreground like flowers, of which there are tons during the early to mid summer months.  Large alpine sunflowers make great targets or crank your aperture down small, lie in the fields and fill the foreground with a carpet of little tundra blossoms.   As there are many hikers in the area, having a couple of backpacks making their way though the valley can also help to demonstrate the enormity of the landscape.

There are several trails to hike at the top of the pass, but if you have a couple miles worth of energy in you, be sure to take the trail from the West lot.  It's about an hour and a half hiking at a good pace, but you will eventually reach two lakes well above treeline (around 11,500 feet) which make for amazing images.

Making your way down the North side of Guanella Pass you will find several areas where beavers have made their mark, creating natural wetlands with a small curvy stream winding through them.  You can often catch some cranes in the area (really don't know why they are up so high, but you do find them), beavers of course and also deer and elk.  Birds of prey are also a frequent visitor to the area and make for great shots as they cruise the mountain sides.  This side of the pass is particularly nice in the Fall as it has more Aspens than the South side.  With the pines interspersed within the Aspen groves you will get some real nice depth.   There are a couple of campground on this side of the pass which are state run paid sites with limited facilities.  There are also many road side pulloffs where you can pitch your tent so you are ready for those perfect morning light photos.

Notes: 

• Construction on this road has been going on for several years as they attempt to widen and pave it.  You will sometimes run into 20 minute waits on the North side of the pass as the road is reduced to a single lane.