Guanella Pass Scenic & Historic Byway. Be Nice. The pass is closed in winter, but provided spectacular vistas when we visited in mid September. What one might see as merely an old, rusty eyesore, another sees as an aged beauty who stood silent witness to the hard work and struggle that gave birth to the Colorado we know and love today. A 22-mile drive, the road is a two-lane highway, paved from start to finish. Bierstadt (el. Mount Bierstadt: No visit to Colorado is complete without gazing upon, shooting photos of or, if at all possible, visiting the top of at least one fourteener. :) Check out the left side of the road where the branches come out of the ground--he seemed to like eating those! Blogging about the beautiful family campgrounds we get to manage for the Forest Service, PG&E and State Parks across the US From Denver take Highway 285 to Grant. Colorado’s mountains provide some of the planet’s most breathtaking panoramas — and even some that you can enjoy without having to break a sweat. Those ovens are really something. You can find the trailhead off the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, 12 miles to the top of the pass. 1. Found inside – Page 473... 455' Gay bars, 75 Georgetown, 99-102 Georgetown Loop Railroad, 100 Ghost Town, ... 18 Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, 100 Guest and Dude Ranches, 16. As a meticulously preserved example of late-1800s residential living, the house offers an extraordinary opportunity to see the architectural styles, furnishings and landscaping techniques of the day. Distance to start of drive from Breckenridge: 1 hour, 50 miles. A portion of the byway between Naylor Lake Road and Burning Bear Campground is closed during the winter; be sure to check current. Author’s Note: The road from Marble to Crystal City is only accessible to off-highway vehicles and cars with high ground clearance and 4x4 capabilities. Found inside – Page 144Guanella. Pass. From Georgetown the drive switchbacks steeply up an abrupt ... along Leavenworth Creek to the ghost town of Waldorf at 11,666 feet. or anything. The railroad town of Georgetown welcomes all who come to its humble historic streets. A guide to hiking and climbing Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks From Denver take HWY 285 towards Grant. Dearfield – near Greeley. Don't Threaten. This abandoned town offers insight into the daily life of 19th century settlers. Found inside – Page 474... sports Georgetown, 97-99 Georgetown Loop Railroad, 97 Ghost Town, ... 43 9-442 Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, 97 Guest and Dude Ranches, 12, 245, 246, 253, ... Guanella Pass Road starts up from town, making camping on this route very convenient if you need to be close to amenities. It's not just beautiful; it also has a sweet story. At the summit of the pass, trails lead to Mt. Found inside – Page 153... Creek to the ghost town of Waldorf at 11,666 feet by the Waldorf Mine. ... Guanella Pass Campground sits in the forest at 10,800 feet below the final ... STAY INFORMED: Get daily news from OutThere Colorado in your inbox. It’s one part electricity generator, one part history museum. From Grant, head east on Highway 285 to Bailey, home to the hot-dog-shaped Coney Island Boardwalk roadside fast-food joint and a stay at Glen Isle Resort, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Make sure you check road conditions before heading out. Afterward, pop into nearby Shoppe Internationale to marvel over Scandinavian souvenirs, local crafts and a wide array of holiday ornaments. Photo Credit: Plazak (Wikipedia Creative Commons). While in town, look for special events, like the Georgetown Home & Garden Tour in the summer (typically late July), when private homes open their doors to the public to share their stunning homes. Guanella Pass Scenic Byway Distance from Denver: 1 hour Connecting highway 285 to the south and I-70 to the north, this 22 mile detour is the perfect quick escape from busy mountain traffic. It's not technically a ghost town. Princeton Hot Springs on an easily accessible road to most vehicles. Sign once said 'Waldorf,' but new construction may have changed that. Start in the plains of eastern Colorado at the ghost town of Dearfield. Guanella Pass reaches a peak elevation of 11,670 feet above sea level and is considered one of Colorado’s most scenic routes. Wild animals can be unpredictable, and it's not worth the risk. Found inside – Page 115Follow this road south past Green Lake and toward Guanella Pass. ... it is passable for most cars as far as the abandoned town of Waldorf. Wind through scenic aspen forest and among waterfalls to see the remains of the Colorado Central Mill. This pass follows an old wagon route that lined the mining towns of Grant and Georgetown. Their goal? To get boomers off the couch and out into the world. In this Blog to Book, they’ve chosen some of their favorite journeys to share with you. Guanella Pass Campground is covered by the Mount Evans, CO US Topo Map quadrant. But it might as well be. In the winter, a serene blanket of white snow covers the ground. Silver Plume: Another town worth visiting in the Clear Creek area is Silver Plume. WALDORF. Drive back in time to the late 19th century visiting 5 remote ghost town sites. She loves camping, hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding. Don a hardhat for the guided trek through 500 feet of one of Colorado’s legendary minds — just don’t forget a jacket, as the temperatures can get quite cool.Â, Back in Georgetown, depart south on Guanella Pass Road to begin the climb up toward the eponymous 11,669-foot mountain pass. Large RV's not recommended. While there, see an exhibit about the pioneers who helped build this community. Go 2.5 miles and take the right turn onto County Road 352, the Leavenworth Creek Road. Drivers should have full confidence in their off-roading skills if attempting this road. Found inside – Page 167... Trail ( 3 miles ) leads to old mines and the ghost town of Lulu City . ... the Mount Bierstadt Trail ( 2.5 miles ) from Guanella Pass above Georgetown . The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of topographic maps of the U.S. commonly known as US Topo Maps. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Our first effort failed. Waldorf's mine, the Big Stevens mine, was discovered in 1868. There are 18 sites in the campground. Author’s Note: Guanella Pass is closed during winter months. One day a construction crew was stringing the cable onto the bull wheel at the top of the lift and an accident happened leaving Ed Guanella decapitated. The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway provides access to the most incredible beauty and nature one can find in Colorado. The tundra is fragile, so only used marked trails to traverse it. Photo Credit: BackyardProduction (iStock). Today The Jeep Geek and friends travel to the summit of Guanella Pass (all on paved roads), then on to the Ghost towns of Waldorf and Santiago on the way to Mt. However, the Dust Bowl of the 1930s dwindled the town’s population. Found insideThe bowl is named after the ghost town of Waldorf that sits below it at 11,666 ... Follow the signs for Guanella Pass, which will take you right through the ... This ski spot was open from 1963 to 1984. No, you can’t ski there anymore (it lacks the snow), but the views are still stunning and the history is novel. Guanella Pass Loop- Square Top Mtn. Found inside – Page 13346 Caribou was left to become a ghost town . ... Nearby Routes Guanella Pass , page 124 / Mount Evans , page 130 / Trail Ridge & Beaver Meadow Roads ... St. Elmo is an authentic 1880?s mining town, and now a National Historic Site. About an hour drive from South Park City via U.S. 285 to U.S. 24, head into Clear Creek Canyon to visit four ghost towns nestled away in the mountains. McClelland. Worth a mention is the ghost town of Cokedale on the Highway of Legends (Hwy 12). Description. This byway is just long enough to weave into a day trip. Ashcroft Ghost Town. A 'ghost town-themed' road trip through Colorado to old, abandoned sites. Found inside – Page 71... Trail Ridge Road , Guanella Pass , Mount Evans Bordering the western edge of ... Indian Springs Resort Ghost towns : Nevadaville , Apex , Lulu City ... Visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the area. Cripple Creek/ Victor seems to be missing. It will be at a turn on another set of switchbacks. The trailhead up Leavenworth Gulch, that leads to the Tundra Hut, can be reached in about 90 minutes from Denver. If it is still there - be sure to visit Chipmunk town - and feed the chipmunks and ground squirrels. Kurt James 3rd western adventure novel of the Rocky Mountain frontier is now available. Many have been calling Kurt James the best author of the old west since Max Brand. The Guanella Pass provides views of Mount Bierstadt, one of Colorado’s famous fourteeners (mountains that are 14,000 feet above sea level or taller), and it cuts through the historic town of Georgetown, one of the best preserved Victorian communities in the state. It’s the oldest continuously operating AC hydroelectric plant in Colorado, functioning since 1900. All rights reserved. Chalk Creek Canyon (County Road 162) has a lively, colorful mining town and railroad history. While visiting properties of Gilman is prohibited, the ghost town of Gilman is an eerie, interesting sight to see from the highway. Found insideTour guide Lori Juszak and her team take readers on a trip through the Choice City’s most chilling hauntings and legends. It's one of a kind. Found inside – Page 1Join paranormal investigator Richard Estep on his fifteen-year journey to reveal and document the interwoven, ghoulish tales of this colorful Colorado city. Have respect for the outdoors, the environment and the animals that live there. You can walk through real homes, museums and churches and pretend you live in the Victorian times. Drink plenty of water and prepare with a smartly packed backpack before heading out. Length of trip: 22 miles, about one hour (or longer, depending on how many stops you take). This national scenic byway connects I-70 and Georgetown, to the north, with Highway 285 and Grant, to the south. (13,794′), Argentine Peak (13,738′), Mt. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall (Wikipedia Creative Commons). The whole drive to Grant takes about an hour. Facilities: The campground is split into two loops by the county road and South Clear Creek. Stroll down the charming Victorian downtown, shop for antiques, grab a cup of tea, get a bite to eat at the bakery, see the 1884 depot, explore an old 1870s silver mine, learn about the history of the railroad in the rail yard and even take a train ride. The ride offers vistas of the Rocky Mountains that provide postcard-worthy shots even for the novice photographer. A ghost story of "Eddie the Head" thanks to Lee: "Ed Guanella was the son of Paul Guanella (the pass fame). Found inside – Page 588The Central Region #43: #44: Saxon Mountain Road 298 Guanella Pass Trail 301 Waldorf and Santiago Ghost Town Trail 304 Peru Creek Trail 308 Handcart Gulch ... Fight over slices of hand-tossed pizza at The Alpine Restaurant & Bar, although the mozzarella-stuffed strombolis might steal the show. Continue on this ghost town road trip from Silver Plume along Guanella Pass, a can’t-miss mountain road that leads to Grant. Stay in your car and leave the animals alone, not only for your sake but also for theirs. The Mount Bierstadt Trail is best explored in warmer weather, June through September. Until very recently, I had no idea that there is a trail system along Guanella Pass Road centered around the mining ghost town of Silver Dale, just south of Georgetown. Silver Plume’s saloon is a great place to stop for lunch along this ghost town road trip through Colorado. Starting in Idaho Springs to the east, travel the highest paved road in North America to the peak’s summit. This road includes picturesque views of both nature and architecture; and it transports you into the serenity of nature, as well as seemingly back in time. It now sits on a new foundation. St. Elmo and Cottonwood Pass are only about one hour apart. Take an adventurous bike tour, try your hand at rock climbing or fishing, and set up camp for a night under the stars (and a spectacular sunrise, too!) How to Get There: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, ... Guanella Pass is a remarkable drive between two major highways. A former burro trail, the now-paved Guanella Pass byway climbs to timberline, taking in spectacular views of Mount Bierstadt, Mount Evans and the alpine tundra before descending into cool groves of aspen and pine that light up with brilliant golden hues come autumn. Have your camera ready — wildlife is plentiful throughout the area, with bighorn sheep, mountain goats, golden eagles and the occasional beaver making frequent appearances.Â. It also links the popular Interstate 70 with Highway 285, making it not only a pretty ride but useful. Before the top of the pass though, you can turn off to the Silver Dale Interpretive Site area, which features a protected district of the former townsite and several trails. The Guanella Pass Campground is located about 7 miles south of Georgetown on the Gunaella Pass Scenic Byway. Visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the area. Facilities: The campground is split into two loops by the county road and South Clear Creek. This breathtaking high-alpine basin and lonely ghost town of Waldorf was once a major Colorado tourist destination. Found inside – Page 36You traverse this gorgeous high valley and go over Trout Creek Pass into ... go through town and head up the beautiful road to the ghost town of Ashcroft. The weather will grow chillier as you get higher, so even in summer, dress in layers if you want to get out of the car to explore. In these areas, you can find many historical sites and attractions, as well as all levels of great trails for hiking, from relaxed to adventurous. Learn about the mining history on this fun ride and if you want, you can even explore an old silver mine — with a guide and hard hat, of course. The Milky Way is pretty epic from the pass. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Call the Guanella Pass Road Information Line at (303) 679-2300, extension 2, to check the status. 14,060 ft./4285 m.) We recommend stopping your drive to walk through Georgetown’s downtown. About 1 hour and 40 minutes west from Dearfield via U.S. Highway 34 to Colorado Highway 66, reach the ghost town of Homestead Meadows near Estes Park. Off U.S. Route 285 in Clear Creek County, west of Denver. It is a bit of a detour off the highway but it’s worth it. It also links the popular Interstate 70 with Highway 285, making it not only a pretty ride but useful. Wildlife: Expect to see some wildlife along the drive. Description Come camp by ghost towns and old wagon trails at Guanella Pass Campground and get in touch with your inner pioneer. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. Leslie James is all about Colorado when it comes to writing features, sharing adventures, and creating colorful galleries. Road conditions: The road is paved and does not require four-wheel drive. Click here for additonal information on camping near Guanella Pass. This former mining town has done a great job at preserving its history and architecture. We drove it from its northern end in Georgetown, itself a remarkable historic town all the way south to Grant, roughly speaking 22 miles. Animals native to this area include but are not limited to beavers, bighorn sheep (the Georgetown bighorn sheep herd is one of Colorado’s biggest herds), bobcats, falcons, bald eagles, pikas, black bears, elk, chipmunks, foxes, mountain lions, minks, porcupines, raccoons, mountain goats, wolverines, the yellow-bellied marmot and more. 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Or, make a quick jaunt over to Silver Plume to sip a cocktail at Bread Bar (open Friday through Sunday), housed in an 1890s bakery or enjoy a coffee at Plume Coffee Bar. The rumors of buried treasure in the area were too hard to resist! Nearby activities include hiking, fishing, visiting historic Georgetown and local ghost towns. Guanella Pass. St Elmo is great to visit and a beautiful drive from Buena Vista. It’s about 22 miles long and takes about an hour to drive, although you may want to block out extra time to stop, take photos and explore the region it passes through. Describes and recommends thirty-six hiking trails and includes tips on safety, trail etiquette, weather, backcountry essentials, hiking with children, and wilderness ethics The most comprehensive guide to the Weminuche Wilderness area, with ... Facilities: The campground is split into two loops by the county road and South Clear Creek. You are killing the chipmunks and ground squirrels that you feed. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Rockdale and Beaver City are the other two abandoned sites. I owe my soul to the company store.". Don a hardhat for the guided trek through 500 feet of one of Colorado’s legendary minds — just don’t forget a jacket, as the temperatures can get quite cool. In the early morning, the scenery was beautiful and there was very little traffic. This comprehensive guide to the Centennial State is jam-packed with more than 170 of Colorado’s top spots for fun and entertainment. Take a simple day trip, or string together a longer vacation of activities that catch your interest. It is surprising that this wonderful high-country tour is not better known. Found inside – Page 290278 Diamond Peak Ski Resort (Incline Village, NV), 135 Dinosaur Park (Rapid City. ... TX), 218 Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway (Georgetown. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Additional ghost towns dot the region.From I-25 in Denver, take I-70 West to Georgetown Exit 228. It is the perfect detour on your way up to Breckenridge to start taking in all the stunning views of aspens turning. It took having a few hours to kill before taking the kiddos on the Georgetown Loop Railroad...and promises of a "ghost town" as hiking destination to discover this area. Use the 'Report' link on It’s elegant and perfectly preserved, down to the decoration and furniture and even landscaping techniques. Found inside – Page 1This adventure starts at the ghost town of Waldorf, a boomtown that once boasted ... onto Argentine Street and begin following the signs for Guanella Pass. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Wilcox (13,408′) Jun 8 Aug 24 onecairn While climbing Mt. If you enjoy photography, this is a great place to work on your night sky shooting. When not re-enacting the wagon days, you might want to enjoy the trout fishing at nearby lakes, hike some burly trails, or collect wood from the spruce forest for your campfire. 248.1. The journey: The pass brings you between two watersheds: South Platte and Clear Creek. Never walk on the tundra itself. Twin Lakes is not quite a ghost town, but many original buildings from the late 1800s still stand there. During peak leaf-peeping season, avoid heavy traffic by traveling during the week. ... We first found our way to an old town called Geneva City, pretty near Guanella Pass, at an altitude of about 12,000 ft. The Historic Hamill House Museum: This restored "Country Gothic" house is arguably the main attraction in Georgetown’s historic district. Guanella Pass campground will be open after Labor Day, first come first serve campsites available through Sept. 9, 2018. The Guanella Pass Campground is located about 7 miles south of Georgetown on the Gunaella Pass Scenic Byway. Travel 9.9 miles, to Silver Dollar Lake parking area located on the right, and an additional parking area on the left. Overview. Found inside – Page 14Argentine Pk . Naylor 30 35 13,738 $ 54 Guanella Pass Lakes 356 855 Keystone ... Mt. Loganx Ghost Town Whale Peak 12,871 PIKE 13,078 180 Breckenridge 32 183 ... Depicts the history of more than one hundred Colorado towns abandoned after the end of the mining boom You can also drive a few minutes further up the byway to another sign for Silver Dale, where you’ll find remnants of a building that's also part of the ghost town. Where is it? Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. The Geneva Basin Ski Area: Another fun point of interest is this former ski area, a few miles south of the Guanella Pass. It begins directly from downtown Georgetown and quickly climbs in 12 miles to its summit at 11,669 feet. You will travel through spruce and aspen groves, along creeks until you hit timberline (that’s where trees stop growing due to altitude). Found inside – Page 69... south of the summit of Guanella Pass between Georgetown , 14 miles to the ... in 1965 after a nearby mining camp turned ghost town called Geneva City . St. Elmo is west of Buena Vista and remains one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state. One of the town’s must-sees is the Hotel de Paris Museum, which paints a vivid portrait of the luxury that the silver boom afforded and chronicles the dramatic life story of the former hotel’s founder. The Environmental Protection Agency declared Gilman as a Superfund site due to toxic substances that are airborne and orange sludge that seeps from the ground. Photo Credit: Christian Murdock, The Gazette. Colorado's Pikes Peak Gold Rush was an event of enormous social and cultural significance, changing the basic economy and lifestyle of the entire region. Pikes Peak became synonymous with the wild westward rush that ensued. Start in the plains of eastern Colorado at the ghost town of Dearfield. Here, you will be able to see precious tundra. 9.9 miles from the town of Georgetown, CO on Guanella Pass Road. Drive about 1 hour and 17 minutes from Aspen to the tiny town of Marble, just outside of Carbondale. Settlers arrived in 1911 and less than a decade later, Dearfield consisted of two churches, a school, and a restaurant. person will not be tolerated. Equally as splendid: Head on one of Georgetown’s trails deep into the backcountry and go for a hike to stretch your legs after the drive. Turn right (north) on to Park County Road 62. Over four million dollars was taken from this mine. Threats of harming another You have permission to edit this collection. There was LovetheMountains, if you loved the mountains so much, you would know that you NEVER feed the wildlife. Argentine Pass OHV Route is a 26.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Georgetown, The trail really only gets tough at the end. Ghost Towns of Colorado: the trek to Geneva City. It is a bit of a detour off the highway but it’s worth it. Here’s a road trip through the state that hits some of the most well-preserved ghost towns. The ghost town is located about 11 miles west of Mt. Some trails mentioned in this article are surrounded by private land. The Guanella Pass was closed at a little over 8 miles out of Georgetown. Found inside – Page xxvi... today Placerville 1887 Placerville today Once - thriving town of Primero ... Silver Dale Green Lake - Guanella Pass road now passes old site of Silver ... Guanella pass is a 11,667 ft elevation pass that connects the old mining town of Georgetown to the very small town of Grant, CO. It is the perfect detour on your way up to Breckenridge to start taking in all the stunning views of aspens turning. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. Tabs. The most well-preserved of the ghost towns are Vicksburg and Winfield. Found inside“It looks like you take the Guanella Pass road after you pass through ... And this dirt road over here probably leads to Waldorf, the old ghost town. Error! Vehicle travel is only possible on the Georgetown side of the pass. Elevation: 11,670 ft. You’ll find several parking lots and the trailhead nearby. Drive up Guanella Pass for about 2.5 miles. The Guanella Pass Campground is located about 7 miles south of Georgetown on the Gunaella Pass Scenic Byway. The pass is not maintained in the winter, though, so after a big snow, it might be closed. You never know who you might see crawling around, so keep your camera at the ready. Ghost towns are listed by state & include biographies, pictures, and other detailed ghost town historical information Caribou City sits at about 10,000 feet above sea level and features a collapsed wooden cabin and two stone ruins but used to be the site of rich silver veins.