Guanella Pass
Guanella Pass is a paved high-country shortcut between two Victorian towns, cresting at 11,669 feet on a saddle of tundra where Mount Bierstadt, the Sawtooth and Mount Blue Sky line up above willow wetlands and alpine lakes.
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway near Georgetown, CO
The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway runs about 22 to 24 miles from Georgetown in Clear Creek County to Grant on U.S. 285 in Park County. It follows an old burro trail that later served logging and mining, and the road is now fully paved, so a regular passenger car can make the drive in summer. The route climbs through spruce, fir, aspen and pine, then breaks out above timberline to a broad summit with views of Mount Bierstadt, Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) and Argentine Pass. A boardwalk crosses fragile wetlands near the top, and the Mount Bierstadt trailhead starts from the summit parking area.
Start in Georgetown, one of Colorado’s best-preserved silver towns, or come up from Grant past Burning Bear Campground. The Georgetown Loop Railroad and downtown Georgetown make a natural half-day pairing, while Idaho Springs and the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway sit just north and east. Watch for bighorn sheep along the road, and obey Clear Creek County’s parking rule: vehicles must sit fully off the pavement so emergency traffic can pass.
Insider tip: The summit is seasonal. Gates typically open around Memorial Day and close on or about Thanksgiving (CDOT lists on or about November 26) at Naylor Lake on the Georgetown side and near Burning Bear Campground / Geneva Creek Road on the Grant side. In 2026 the pass opened early, at 9 a.m. on April 16, because of a low-snow winter. Call the Guanella Pass Road information line at (303) 679-2422, ext. 2, before you drive, especially as winter storms return.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Mount Bierstadt, Sawtooth, Mount Evans (10579983656) by David Herrera (CC BY 2.0); Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, Colorado (44441564484) by Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Guanella Pass 2014-08-24 (15049816665) by KimonBerlin (CC BY-SA 2.0); Guanella Pass 2014-08-24 (15046760891) by KimonBerlin (CC BY-SA 2.0); Guanella Pass 2014-08-24 (15026818046) by KimonBerlin (CC BY-SA 2.0); Guanella Pass Ridges by MichaelKirsh (CC BY-SA 4.0); The Sawtooth viewed from Guanella Pass, July 2016 by Thomson200 (CC0); Scenic Guanella Pass, Colorado by JenFulmer (CC BY-SA 4.0); Guanella pass from bierstadt [view of Guanella Pass and the trailhead from Mount Bierstadt] by — Laura Scudder | Talk (CC BY-SA 4.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Guanella Pass opened early for summer 2026 on April 16 after a dry winter—the earliest opening since the road was paved in 2016. The scenic byway typically closes around Thanksgiving; CDOT notes a seasonal closure on or about November 26 at Naylor Lake and Burning Bear Campground. Check current status with Clear Creek County or the road information line at (303) 679-2422, ext. 2, before you go. Details: clearcreekcounty.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Guanella Pass?
Guanella Pass sits on the border of Clear Creek and Park counties, about 11 miles south of Georgetown via Clear Creek County Route 381, or about 13.5 miles north of Grant via Park County Route 62 off U.S. 285.
How high is Guanella Pass?
The summit elevation is 11,669 feet. The paved scenic byway covers roughly 22 to 24 miles between Georgetown and Grant and climbs well above timberline.
Is Guanella Pass open in winter?
The summit is typically closed from about Thanksgiving until Memorial Day weekend because of snow and avalanche-mitigation costs. Lower sections toward Georgetown and Grant stay accessible for winter recreation up to the gates. Always check the information line before you go.
Do you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
No, not for the main paved byway in summer—a regular sedan can drive from Georgetown to Grant. Many side roads off the pass do require high clearance and four-wheel drive.
What is nearby Guanella Pass?
Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad mark the north end of the byway, and the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway offers another high-alpine drive just to the east.
Drive Guanella Pass Road between Georgetown, CO 80444, and Grant on U.S. 285. Call the road information line at (303) 679-2422, ext. 2, or see clearcreekcounty.us and codot.gov.