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SHORT DRIVES FROM THE METRO AREA
•1. Guanella Pass between Grant and the top of the pass -- Take
Highway 285 south from C470 through Conifer and Bailey. At the town of Grant
, head north on the Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway to the top of
the pass. Guanella Pass is closed on the north side of the pass and through
travel is prohibited to Georgetown. The aspens are typically exceptional on
the south side of Guanella Pass, which sits at 11,699 feet in elevation.
This refreshing 23-mile road will take you through the Pike and Arapahoe
National Forests. The road is gravel to the top f the pass, which i above
timberline. ( See Map )
•1. CO 103 from Evergreen Parkway west to Echo Lake. Take Evergreen
Parkway to Squaw Pass Road, turn west. Follow Squaw Pass Road (Hwy 103) for
about 18 miles to Echo Lake. The road will twist and turn through a mix of
aspen and pine forests with several good locations to pull off and take
photos. The scenery is spectacular accompanied by a variety of wildlife.
Echo Lake Lodge offers a nice stop for refreshments. From there, turn west
and continue to Idaho Springs. At Idaho Springs get on I-70-east to the El
Rancho/Evergreen exit. This takes about 3 hours and is spectacular when the
aspens change color. If some snow has fallen on the peaks, you will enjoy
magnificent views of the aspen gold and snow capped mountains. ( See Map )
•2. Trail Ridge Road (US 34) through Rocky Mountain National Park --
Take the Boulder Turnpike (US 36) west to Rocky Mountain National Park via
Estes Park. Once in the park, drive Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved
through highway in the US) and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. The weather
can change quickly in the park so be sure and get the latest forecast from
your 24/7 Weather Center. Trail Ridge Road peaks at 12,183 feet in elevation
. Just west of the high point is Fall River Pass, elevation 11,796 feet, and
the Alpine Visitor Center. Exit the west side of the park and continue on
US 34 down into Grand Lake. From there, take US 40 east through Fraser and
Winter Park, eventually meeting back up with I-70 at Empire. ( See Map )
•3. Boreas Pass between Como and Breckenridge -- Take I-70 west and
then Highway 9 south through Breckenridge. Make a left at the stoplight on
the south side of Breck onto Boreas Pass Road. After 3.5 miles the pavement
ends, but you can continue another 11 miles to the town of Como. From there,
take Highway 285 back to Denver over Kenosha Pass. The Boreas Pass Road
will take you above timberline where the weather can change quickly, so
check with us for your forecast before making the trip. Boreas Pass Road
follows an abandoned railroad grade which was the original route of the
Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad. You will have incredible views of
the Continental Divide as you pass the flank of Bald Mountain. ( See Map )
•4. Colorado 14 through the Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins -- Take
I-25 north and exit onto Colorado 14 heading west. (Exit # 269) You will
pass through the town of Laporte before entering the beautiful Poudre Canyon
in the Roosevelt National Forest. The Pourde River Canyon was designated
Colorado's First National Wild and Scenic River in 1986. Drive to Cameron
Pass (10,276 feet) in the Medicine Bow Mountains for gorgeous views, and
perhaps a picnic lunch. ( See Map )
•5. Colorado 67 Between Divide and Cripple Creek -- Take I-25 south to
Colorado Springs, exit onto US 24 west (exit 141) toward Woodland Park. At
Divide head south on Highway 67 toward Cripple Creek and Victor. The scenic
Golden Loop Historic Parkway between Cripple Creek and Victor will not only
afford beautiful views of fall color, but a look back to the 1890s gold rush
that made this area one of the most famous mining districts in the world.
As an added bonus, you will cross Colorado's highest bridge on the state
highway system. The bridge crosses Arequa Gulch just west of Victor, is 250
feet tall at it's highest point, and 1,218 feet long. Colorado has 8,479
bridges on it's highway system. ( See Map )
•6. Tennessee Pass, US 24, From Leadville to Vail -- Take I-70 west to
Vail and exit onto US 24 east to Leadville. On the way to Tennessee Pass
you will see on of Colorado's fourteeners to the west. This route follows
the Arkansas River and the Rio Grande Railroad. It was also the original
Native American trail across the mountains. On the west side of the pass,
the railroad follows the Eagle River down a 3% grade to the mining towns of
Minturn and Belden. (Mount of the Holy Cross in the Sawatch Range). ( See
Map )
LONG DRIVES FROM THE METRO AREA
•7. Independence Pass, Colorado 82, Between Twin Lakes and Aspen --
Take I-70 to exit 171 just past Vail to pick up US 24 west. This will take
you to Twin Lakes, where you pick up Highway 82 toward Aspen. This beautiful
drive through the San Isabel National Forest will afford picturesque views
of the Sawatch Range, which is home to several of Colorado's 14ers. From
Aspen you can continue on Highway 82 to Glenwood Springs where you will meet
back up with I-70. Heading back toward Denver, you will drive through the
gorgeous Glenwood Canyon where a hike to Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock
would make for a nice picnic. ( See Map )
•8. Cottonwood Pass, Colorado 306 Between Buena Vista and Taylor Park
-- Take Highway 285 south to Buena Vista where you will meet up with Highway
306. Head west over Cottonwood Pass (12,126 feet). Here you will be
surrounded by several of Colorado's highest peaks, including Mt. Yale (14,
194 feet), Mt. Princeton (14,197 feet), Mt. Antero (14,269 feet), and Mt.
Harvard (14,420 feet). You will be right in the heart of the Sawatch Range.
West of the pass you will pass through Taylor Park and by the Taylor Park
Reservoir on your way to Almont. Once in Almont, take Highway 135 south to
Gunnison where Highway 50 east will bring you back to Highway 285 Salida. (
See Map )
•9. Monarch Pass, US 50 from Salida to Gunnison Take Highway 285 south
to Salida down through the Arkansas River Valley. Head west on Highway 50
to Gunnison, which will take you over Monarch Pass (11,312 feet). ( See Map )
•10. Cochetopa Pass Between Saguache and Gunnison -- Take Highway 285
south to Saguache where you will meet up with Highway 114. Head north toward
Gunnison and enjoy incredible views of not only fall color, but the
fascinating geology of this region. Several calderas are located in the part
of the San Juan Mountains. Approaching Cochetopa Pass you will see some "
columnar basalts" which formed in the same manner as Devil's Tower in
Wyoming. ( See Map )
•11. Platoro Reservoir, south of Del Norte and West of Conejos -- Take
Highway 285 south to Monte Vista and then Colorado Highway 15 (Gunbarrel
Road) south 12.0 miles. Take the Twelve Mile Road 12.0 miles west to the
forest boundary where it becomes the Alamosa-Conejos River Road (Forest Road
250). Then follow Forest Road 250 17.0 miles up the Alamosa River and over
Stunner Pass to Mix Lake. Platoro Reservoir is just west of Mix Lake on
Forest Road 247. ( See Map )
•12. Cucharas Pass, Colorado 12, from Trinidad to Walsenburg -- Take I
-25 south to Trinidad and then Colorado 12 west. You will drive through the
San Isabel National Forest and over Cucharas Pass (9,941 feet) back to
Walsenburg and I-25. As a side trip on your way back toward Denver, you can
take exit 74 on I-25 which is Colorado City. Highway 165 will take you on a
beautiful drive up the spine of the Wet Mountains. You will intersect
Highway 96 which you can take west to the delightful town of Westcliffe for
a little shopping, or east to Pueblo and I-25. ( See Map )
•13, Steamboat Springs, Elk River country north and Buffalo Pass east
-- Take I-70 west to Empire and exit onto US 40 west. This will take you
through a scenic drive over many passes on your way to Steamboat Springs,
including Berthoud Pass, Muddy Pass, and Rabbit Ears Pass. North of
Steamboat out of Strawberry Pass you will find Forest Road 60 (Buffalo Pass
Road). This scenic drive will take you across the Continental Divide into
North Park where you will meet up with Highway 14. You can take Highway 14
east to Fort Collins or go west back to Muddy Pass on US 40 east to meet
back up with I-70. ( See Map )
•14. Maroon Bells Near Aspen -- Take I-70 west to Glenwood Springs to
Highway 82 east. Follow 82 to the Aspen Roundabout where you will pick up
the Maroon Creek Road exit. A parking lot off the roundabout offers shuttle
service to Maroon Bells Road. Nestled in the Gunnison and White River
National Forests, this area varies from 7,500 to over 14,000 feet! The
Maroon Bells is one of Colorado's most photographed landmarks. The mirror-
like reflective Maroon Lake will afford incredible views of the surrounding
terrain and vegetation, which happens to be full of our lovely Colorado
Aspen. ( See Map )
•15. Colorado 135 Between Crested Butte and Gunnison -- Take Highway
285 south to Salida down through the Arkansas River Valley. Head west on
Highway 50 to Gunnison, which will take you over Monarch Pass (11,312 feet).
Once in Gunnison pick up Highway 135 north to Crested Butte and enjoy the
beautiful views of surrounding forest. Once in Crested Butte, you can
contiue west over Kebler Pass (9,980 feet) or north to Schofield Pass (10,
707 feet). ( See Map )
•16. Slumgullion Pass, Colorado 149, Between Lake City, Creede, and
South Fork -- Head south on Highway 285 to Salida, then west on Highway 50
to just past Gunnison. Pick up Highway 149 south and prepare for a breath-
taking drive through the Gunnison, Rio Grande, and Uncompahgre National
Forests. Slumgullion Pass is at 11,361 feet followed by Spring Creek Pass at
10,901 feet. Once on Slumgullion Pass, look west for a beautiful view of
Uncompahgre Peak, with an elevation of 14,309 feet, Sheep Mountain at 13,
1368 feet, and Redcloud Peak at 14,034 feet. Once in South Fork, take
Highway 112 east to Highway 285 near Center. ( See Map )
•17. US 160, Navajo Trail, Between Pagosa Springs and Cortez -- Take
Highway 285 south to Monte Vista in the San Luis Valley where you will pick
up Highway 160 west. Once over Wolf Creek Pass (10,850 feet) in the San
Juans, you will descend into the beautiful town of Pagosa Springs. Stop and
take a look at the tranquil San Juan River that runs through the heart of
town before continuing on your leaf viewing drive to Cortez. ( See Map )
•18. Lizard Head Pass, Colorado 145 Between Dolores and Telluride --
Take Highway 285 south to Salida, then Highway 50 west to Montrose. From
there take Highway 550 to Ridgway where you will find Highway 62. Heading
west you will go over Dallas Divide on your way through the Uncompahgre
National Forest. Once you intersect Highway 145, go south toward Telluride,
Lizard Head Pass, and Dolores. ( See Map )
•19. Grand Mesa, Colorado 65 East of Grand Junction and North of Delta
-- Take I-70 west to Exit 49 just before Clifton. Head south on Highway 65
(Grand Mesa Scenic Byway) to Delta. This scenic drive on the western slope
of the Rockies will take you over 60 miles and up as high as 11,000 feet
with incredible views. Many lakes line the byway, including Sunset Lake. One
really cool aspect of this drive is how the scenery changes. From a desert
canyon to aspen foothills, lakes, alpine forests, lily ponds and rolling
meadows. If you have time for a hike, the Land-O-Lakes is a trail that you
can take for an awesome view of the many surrounding lakes. The West Elk
Mountains will also be visible to your east. Another fun thing to do is
drive up to the top of the mesa on Land's End road. From the top you will be
looking 6,000 feet to the bottom of the canyon. ( See Map )
•20. Flat Tops Country Between Buford and New Castle -- Take I-70 west
to New Castle (Exit 105) where you will pick up Highway 13 toward Meeker.
You have two routes depending on how much time you have. One is to take
Highway 325 to Buford which will afford some beautiful views of the Flat
Tops. The second option is to stay on Highway 13 to Meeker and take the Flat
Tops Trail Scenic Byway. This 82-mile trek will take you through the White
River National Forest to Yampa. From Yampa, take Highway 131 south to
Wolcott where you will meet back with I-70. The Flat Tops Wilderness is
defined by basalt lava flows of the White River Plateau, and underlain by
thick limestone formation in which water has carved numerous caves. ( See
Map )
•21. McClure Pass -- From Glenwood Springs, take Highway 82 south to
the junction of Highway 133, and follow this toward Carbondale. South of
Carbondale, Highway 133 parallels the Crystal River and makes for some
scenic photography. You will soon come to the town of Redstone, and the
historic Redstone Inn. As you continue south to McClure Pass, elevation of 8
,755 feet, you will see fantastic views of the Elk Mountains and Muddy Creek
above Paonia State Park. While you are in the area, be sure to stop by the
town of Marble. Marble is a legendary town where marble was quarried and
finished for the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and
hundreds of other buildings. Once you are back onto Highway 133, a quick
jaunt to the south will bring you to Paonia Reservoir and Paonia State Park.
( See Map ) |
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