Guanella Pass
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Guanella Pass | |
|---|---|
 Guanella Pass from Mount Bierstadt |
|
| Elevation | 3557 m./11,669 ft. |
| Location | Colorado,  United States |
| Range | Front Range |
| Coordinates | 39°35′42″N 105°42′40″W / 39.595°N 105.71111°W |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Evans |
| Traversed by | Guanella Pass Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 285) |
Guanella Pass (el. 3557 m./11,669 ft.) is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado.
The pass is located in southwestern Clear Creek County, just west of Mount Bierstadt in the Front Range west of Denver and south of Georgetown.
The pass provides a route between Georgetown in the valley of Clear Creek to the north and Grant in the valley of Geneva Creek, a tributary of the North Fork South Platte River, to the south. The pass is traversed by the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. The road provides a link between Interstate 70 to the north and U.S. Highway 285 to the south. The entire route is suitable for passenger cars. The route is currently under construction till 2012 with several one lane sections coming up from the Georgetown side of the pass. Expect heavy washboard sections along the route that is currently not paved. The road is no longer maintained in the winter and expect closure after the first heavy snow in the winter. There is a parking area at the closure gate on the Georgetown side of the pass to allow access to the pass by foot or snowmobile during the winter.
At the summit of the pass, hiking trails lead to Mt. Bierstadt (el. 14,060 ft./4285 m.) among other places.
Guanella Pass was the location of Geneva Basin Ski Area (originally Indianhead Mountain) from 1963-1984.[1]
As of August 23, 2009, a 6-mile stretch of road between Guanella Pass and Georgetown is closed due to increased risk of rock slides. Access to the summit is only possible from the south.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
 |
This Colorado state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
