1 dia / 24 milhas / 42 minutos
The route is a crash course in Rocky Mountain ecosystems, leaping the steep divide between the South Platte and Clear Creek watersheds.
Dia 1
9:00 am - 10.5 milhas / 21 minutos - 9:21 am
Trail to one of the easier 14ers starts with the boardwalk over the willow wetlands. After crossing the creek, the trail continues uphill to the east, then south, to reach the west ridge of the peak. Nearing the summit, the trail grows steeper on the rocky ridge. Step on rocks while ascending to the summit to avoid trampling vegetation that grows in pockets between the rocks.
9:26 am - 0.2 milhas / 1 minuto - 9:26 am
Guanella Pass Summit is a recreational playground along the byway. Hiking trails take you up great mountains, and climbers and cross-country skiers enjoy the area as well. Square Top Mountain or Mount Bierstadt may be ascended in one day and the Scott Gomer trail takes backcountry explorers into the Mount Evans Wilderness Area. At Guanella Pass Summit, there are many natural wonders. The alpine life at the top of the summit includes populations of ptarmigan. The ptarmigan is a bird whose feathers change color depending on the season. In the summer they are brown and in the winter they change to white. This ensures that they can hide in their surroundings. Duke Lake is just below the summit, and this area offers additional recreational opportunities.
9:31 am - 0.0 milhas / 1 minuto - 9:31 am
The Rosalie Trail #603 offers a variety of subalpine and alpine scenery along its course.
9:36 am - 7.8 milhas / 12 minutos - 9:49 am
The Abyss Lake Trail is a popular hiking trail, ending at Abyss Lake. The lake is nestled in a high bowl-shaped depression formed by glaciers (called a glacial cirque) between Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky. The rocky slopes surrounding the lake are home to bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
9:54 am - 0.1 milhas / 1 minuto - 9:54 am
This pleasant 5.5 miles trail follows the Burning Bear Creek west from Geneva Creek, up over a ridge, and down the Burning Bear Creek on the west side of the ridge as it drains west into the North Fork of the South Platte River in Hall Valley.
9:59 am - 2.7 milhas / 4 minutos - 10:03 am
This trail provides access into the southern portion of the Mount Evans Wilderness, offering spectacular high mountain scenery and vistas.
10:08 am - 0.7 milhas / 1 minuto - 10:10 am
The Geneva Creek Trail travels upstream for approximately 3/4 miles to a junction with the Threemile Trail at the Threemile Trailhead/Whiteside Picnic Area.
10:15 am - 1.8 milhas / 2 minutos - 10:18 am