It is autumn my friend, and the talk of Colorado being THE place to visit this time of year is absolutely true. I’ve always thought, oh sure, but it can’t be that good, after all, Montana has Tamaracks. I was wrong! The color across the rocks; the ground cover everywhere including the tundra; the huge, dense aspen groves in every shade of yellow/gold/orange/red. WOW–let’s go!
We are heading to Guanella Pass, reputed to be one of the best places to see autumn colors in Colorado. Along the way, however, is Kenosha Pass. At 10,001 feet, the aspen shine.
From the town of Grant along CO-285 we head up Guanella Pass Road 13 miles and 3,100 feet to Guanella Pass. We will be in the alpine tundra and can view a number of 14ers, mountains over 14,000 feet high. This is exciting, and at just over 8,700 feet the views are already gorgeous.
Let’s pull over and take a look at Duck Creek which flows along Guanella Pass Road for most of our journey to the top.
Continuing up, the trees are lovely, but what about the aspens on the mountainsides we always see in pictures?
Now we are getting there!
Rounding the corner and surprise! Duck Creek winding thought the brilliant willows with mostly Blue (Picea pungens) and Engelmann (Picea engelmannii) Spruce interspersed with those amazing stands of aspen.
See the road we’ll be taking across mid picture? Up, up we go.
At the first switchback turn, Duck Creek tumbles over and around large rocks. Watch your step, this is pretty steep so hold tight to bushes and tree limbs as we climb down to get closer.
Up ahead is the tundra, over 11,000 feet and no more trees.
Here we are at Guanella Pass, 11,670 feet and glad we have jackets. Bit chilly up here, but check the views from the Overlook. We are looking south/southwest, the way we drove up.
The tundra ecosystem, “the land above the trees”, starts at elevations between 11,000 and 11,500 feet depending on its exposure. This is the land of extremes. Cold temperatures and strong, frequent wind limits the plants that can grow here. Cushion plants are those mounds that look like moss. As with all alpine plants, they stay low to the ground. Flowering plants are dwarfed, including their flowers. Many plants here only bloom or produce fruit with seeds a few weeks each summer. This vegetation has adaptation strategies for survival in the harsh climate but are very fragile. “Keep off the grass” is a matter of life and death in the tundra.
Looking north/northwest. There is a bit of hazy/smoky sky northeast, but that direction is where the Cameron Peak fire is still raging.
Looking west we see hiking trail #600, Square Top Lakes Trail. In what looks like a glacial cirque, cut into Square Top Mountain, there are two lakes. Standing at 13,930 feet high, this mountain is a steep, difficult hike, but to see the lakes you walk just over 2 miles in easier terrain. Hiking at this elevation’s thin air is a challenge, but one day we will return and see those lakes which cannot be seen any other way besides flyovers. Hiking to see them is much more fun.
Looking east we see a few 14ers, but Mount Bierstadt (round peak at right) is the closest. This mountain is considered a good introduction to climbing 14ers because it is easier than many. You still must maneuver steep climbs, scramble over boulder fields, deal with strong winds, and possibly snow and ice. You know, I like the view from here just fine.
Let’s drive a bit further north, and downhill, to see the hillsides.
Heading south, back down the mountain, we get a better view of Mount Evans (the bare rock), the the twelfth highest peak in Colorado and the highest paved road in the US. The 14-mile road to the summit takes you three vertical miles up to 14,130 feet above sea level. Mount Evans peaks at 14,271 feet.
See the white building toward right? It is the Meyer-Womble Observatory, owned and operated by the University of Denver, the third highest observatory in the world. Due to lack of funds and interest, the observatory was decommissioned in 2018 and scheduled to be razed, but is still standing. Perhaps there is hope it will operate again. I have not yet driven up Mount Evans, but it always pays to read reviews of locations you hope to visit. That drive has been called the most “insanely, terrifying, scariest drive of my life” with great views at the end. Hmmmmm . . .
What a glorious day we’ve had. Colorado in autumn is everything promised. Take that from a former skeptic.
Until next time my friend, enjoy the autumn colors near you!
