scenic drives in colorado Archives - ETB Travel Photography

Eight Hikes on Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

Guanella Pass Scenic Byway stretches 22 miles between Georgetown and Grant and takes about one hour to drive, though much longer in the fall when leaf peepers are enjoying autumn colors are on full display. The road climbs through an evergreen forest and aspen stands before it tops out above treeline offering expansive views of the Rockies. It’s north end is only about one hour from Denver, thus it is easy to reach a variety of hikes from the metro area.

Here are eight choices that rank from easy to difficult on AllTrails:

GO HIKING!

Day 198 – Colorado Springs Loop – Part 3

Day 198 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

I met Mike last night while watching the Mavs win the NBA Finals! He was rooting for the Mavericks along with everyone else at the bar. Mike is from Colorado Springs and recently graduated from college. He and his friend operate a landscaping company. When he’s not working he likes to go dirt biking.

The Royal Gorge

This morning I drove south, through Fort Carson and then west through Canon City to the Royal Gorge. I had visited the gorge about 25 years ago, so I didn’t have a burning desire to go again especially since it has become more like an amusement park with a $25 entry. Visitors may walk on the bridge, but also take a variety of different rides.

Since I had only planned to stay about 30 minutes, I found a different option…a 3 mile, 30 minute scenic train ride. The train was like a kiddy ride at
the carnival…small, open air, and didn’t go faster than 10 mph. The best part about the ride is dogs were allowed, so it seemed appropriate, though it didn’t appear that Petey enjoyed himself. While it was a perfect option for me, I think first time visitors should experience the real deal.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 197 – Colorado Springs Loop – Part 2

Day 197 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Since the trails weren’t stellar at Eleven Mile State Park, we left early in the morning for Mueller State Park. While the northern half of the park was closed for two weeks for Elk calving season, the southern part of the park offered a variety of trails. Dogs weren’t allowed on the trails because the area is known for its spectacular wildlife viewings.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 196 – Colorado Springs Loop

Day 196 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

We started our morning in Canon City. One of its first mayors, a poet, wanted to name the town Oreodelphia. The miners insisted they could neither spell nor pronounce it, and exclaimed, “The place is a canyon…it’s going to be called Canon City.” The Walk for Hope was taking place at a nearby park when we arrived. The event raises money for the Orchard of Hope which supports area cancer patients.

Petey and I took a brief stroll through the park on the way to a few geocaches. I probably only found about half of the caches I set out for today, but it was mostly due to muggles.I found one cache on the far end of the park where there wasn’t much activity, but another cache was placed alongside the track where the Walk for Hope was taking place. Given it had a three out of five ranking for difficulty and I was in the vicinity of 100 people, I had to skip it.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 195 – Highway of Legends – Part 2

Day 195 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

From Monument Lake we climbed Cucharas Pass which tops off at 9,941 feet before descending into valleys of farmland situated beneath dramatic dikes. One dike looked like an incomplete jigsaw puzzle with jagged rocks resting on one another with spaces in between. On our way to La Veta, both directions of traffic were stopped due a car that had rolled into a pasture. I heard no one was seriously injured. By the looks of the SUV, I would have guessed differently. It was totaled with the roof crushed in and the tires turned sideways.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 194 – Highway of Legends

Day 194 of Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Sugarite Canyon State Park

Sugarite Canyon State Park is an interesting place as it encompasses the abandoned mining town of Sugarite which was established in 1912. Sugarite was one of seven towns in the Raton area built by the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain and Pacific Railroad. People from twenty different nations came to live in this coal camp. The camp included housing, a ball field, a school, a clubhouse, the company store, and a doctor’s office; not to mention the mines, related buildings, and a railroad.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 185 – San Juan Skyway (Part 2)

Day 185 of Year Long Road Trip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Animas Pass

We changed the pace a bit today and spent most of our time stopping at overlooks or wandering around old mining towns once I figured out Petey could hardly walk this morning. I planned a short hike, 0.6 mile, at Animas Overlook about five miles up the dirt road from our campground. The paved path led us along a nature trail to a view of snow capped mountains and the Animas River below. I had to coax Petey along and when I left the path in search of cache, he stood staring at me like I was crazy.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!