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Guanella Pass (12)
PaulGana
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 98 W: 3 N: 168]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (692) | This time around I am getting away from the Eagles Nest Wilderness and into more or less some semblance of civilization, taken from the summit of Guanella Pass at 11,600 feet in elevation (3547 meters).
Guanella Pass is a mostly unpaved, historic and scenic byway about 45 minutes west of Denver along I-70 to Georgetown. it takes people from the historic and according to some "the most haunted small town in the United States" in the north to the tiny "blink and you miss it" town of Grant to the south, it is a 25 mile (41 kilometer) bumpy stretch through a part of Colorado's front range mountains, the summit of the pass is close to 4 14,000 foot peaks. 14,063 foot (4300 meter) Mt. Bierstadt is just due east, and from the top of the pass is the standard route up Bierstadt. Then there's Mt Evans at 14,263 feet (4361 meters) which has the highest paved road in North America. To the west are the two highest peaks on North America's Continental Divide, Grays Peak at 14,278 feet (4366 meters) and Torreys Peak at 14,267 Feet (4362 meters). Guanella Pass is also the starting point for the standard route up Square Top Mountain at 13,890 feet (4247 meters)
The obvious growth of plants and brush at such high elevations is an obvious testament to Colorado's warm climate. They say that climate wise Colorado is close to Afghanistan with it's rugged mountains and high prairie and desert in one small geographical area |
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