Colorado

When open in the warmer seasons, Guanella Pass Road is a popular hiking destination with numerous trailheads, including a very popular high-elevation trailhead to Mount Bierstadt - one of Colorado's busiest 14er peaks. Connecting the I-70 and Georgetown, CO to the US Hwy 285 near Bailey, CO, Guanella Pass Road has plenty of options for above-treeline hiking - most of which is south of Guanella Pass itself. Trailheads on the east side of the road provide access to the Mount Evans Wilderness, while other trails in the area allow exploration of the Pike National Forest and, as with the Silver Dollar Lakes area, the Arapaho National Forest. Be prepared for crowds on clear summer days, but don't forget about this magnificent Front Range destination.

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day
Guanella Pass Road open Friday before Memorial day
to Monday after Thanksgiving
27,270 acres US Forest Service:
South Platte Ranger District
Clear Creek Ranger District
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed - must be on leash in developed areas 50 8,720ft - 13,790ft

Guanella Pass Area Hiking Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Abyss Trail #602
2 - Burning Bear Trail #601
3 - Connector Trail
4 - Mount Bierstadt Trail #711
5 - Mount Evans Area Trails 1 - PRIMITIVE
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Abyss Trail #602
2 - Burning Bear Trail #601
3 - Connector Trail
4 - Mount Bierstadt Trail #711
5 - Mount Evans Area Trails 1 - PRIMITIVE
6 - Mount Evans Area Trails 2 - PRIMITIVE
7 - Rosalie North Trail #603
8 - Shelf Lake Trail #634
9 - Silver Dollar Lake Access Trail
10 - Silver Dollar Lake Trail #79
11 - South Park Trail #600
12 - Square Top Lakes Spur Trail
13 - Threemile Creek Trail #635
14 - Upper Square Top Lake Spur Trail
15 - Whiteside Trail #697
Area Trailheads:
1 - Abyss Trail #602
2 - Burning Bear Trail #601
3 - Shelf Lake Trail #634
4 - Silver Dollar Lake Trail #79
5 - South Park Trail #600
Area Trailheads:
1 - Abyss Trail #602
2 - Burning Bear Trail #601
3 - Shelf Lake Trail #634
4 - Silver Dollar Lake Trail #79
5 - South Park Trail #600
6 - South Park Trail #600
7 - Whiteside Trail #697
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Burning Bear Campground
2 - Geneva Park Campground
3 - Guanella Pass Campground
4 - Handcart Campground