The air is getting crisper, the days are growing shorter, and for those of us in Colorado, that can only mean one thing: it’s time to chase the aspen gold. With a precious weekend day in September available, we decided to make the pilgrimage that thousands of others in the state do each fall – a scenic drive over Guanella Pass. Known for its stunning fall foliage, this 22 mile road promised a spectacular show of color.
Knowing how popular this route is, we got an early start, heading west on I-70. About 10 miles before our exit to Georgetown, we were gifted with a truly magnificent sight: a bright, vivid rainbow. As we drove, the view shifted, offering us different perspectives – a partial arc, then a double rainbow, and finally, the full, breathtaking spectrum. The part closest to us was unbelievably bright, a display so vibrant and intense it felt almost unreal. While pictures can capture a moment, they can’t quite convey the stunning, magnificent reality of that sight. It was a wonderful and awe-inspiring start to our day.
But as the saying goes, where there’s a rainbow, there’s often rain. Just as we passed the rainbow, the skies opened up. The rain continued as we exited I-70 and began our journey up the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, a road that meanders through the historic town of Georgetown.
The byway is a climb, taking you past the timberline and offering expansive views of the 14,065-foot Mount Bierstadt and the high-altitude alpine tundra. We were a little concerned that the rain might put a damper on our leaf-peeping mission, but as we ascended, the clouds began to clear, eventually giving way to brilliant blue skies. We felt incredibly fortunate to see some truly wonderful, bright yellow aspen patches on the drive. It’s a reminder that even when the forecast looks a little gloomy, nature can surprise you.
For much of the drive, we felt like we had the road to ourselves. Perhaps our early start was the secret to beating the crowds, as we passed very few other cars. We did, however, see a handful of people who had pulled over to take in the views and snap a few pictures, a testament to the pass’s scenic beauty.
As we neared the top, we passed several hiking trailheads, including the famously popular ones at the summit. Parking is always a hot commodity at these spots, and this year, new restrictions were in place. We saw three tow trucks at the ready, a clear sign that no parking on the street was being strictly enforced. Even at 8 a.m., the main parking lots were already full—a testament to the pass’s enduring popularity among hikers. We weren’t planning on hiking, but the sight of the full lots was a reminder of how many people are drawn to this incredible landscape.
The pass itself is above treeline, offering a different kind of beauty with its expansive alpine vistas. As we began our descent towards the town of Grant, the scenery shifted. The aspens on this side weren’t as vibrant, perhaps not having peaked yet.
In all, the scenic byway drive took us about 52 minutes, a little quicker than we had expected. Once we reached the other side, we picked up Highway 285 and made our way back home.
This relaxing half-day trip—about five hours door-to-door—was the perfect antidote to the stresses of work and daily chores. It was a gentle reminder of a few things:
- I need to make time to take a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
- There are so many wonderful roads and hikes in this area that I’d love to explore more, perhaps on a less busy weekday.
- A drive like this reminds me why I was so drawn to Colorado in the first place. The sheer beauty of the landscape is a constant source of inspiration.
- Sometimes, a simple, relaxing trip is all you need to recharge and reset.
Our morning drive over Guanella Pass, with its surprise rainbow and stunning display of autumn gold, was a perfect way to forget about the world for a few hours and reconnect with the simple beauty of nature.