Guanella Pass, Colorado

Dear Autumn,
Have I told you lately that I love you? 

It’s the crisp air, the colors of the leaves, the pumpkin patch, the color orange, layers and sweaters; and it’s finally being able to dig out my favorite pair(s) of boots in the back of the closet. It’s chili in the crock pot and fresh-made bread. And, living in Colorado, it means ASPEN HUNTING.

It’s the time of year that we plan (the best we can) the route to the high country to maximize our chance for viewing Nature’s brilliant show of color.

Destination: Guanella Pass in Arapaho National Forest, just west of Georgetown.

Photo by j. stunkard

In my dreams, I would live in a mountain cabin and this would be my driveway. The cabin would be nestled in an Aspen grove with a large clearing in front of the house with a small creek running through the clearing. The house would have a large front porch for sitting and watching the girls play at the creek. At night we would stargaze on the porch. A girl can dream…

Photo by j. stunkard

Photo by j. stunkard

Guanella Pass Summit. Elevation: 11,669 feet.

I got a little side tracked when we found the creeks/rivers. I am still learning my new Sony DSLR camera so the question became: Aperture  Priority or Shutter Speed? I experimented with both.

Photo by j. stunkard

Photo by j.stunkard

This is my 9-year-old daughter on the rock. Before we left the house she had a king-sized toddler-like fit…“I hate the mountains! I am not going!” she screamed, oh, and door slamming. I call her my mini-me but sometimes I look at her and think…she can’t be my kid! How could she say she “hates the mountains”? She’s really not a spoiled rotten brat, her blood sugar was low. She can get a little c-r-a-z-y when she needs to eat. I got her lunch before heading up and she was a perfect kid the rest of the day. She was the only one who actually wanted to explore the waterfalls with me. She went from hating to loving…her mood swings give me whiplash.

Photo by j.stunkard

Photo by j.stunkard

To get to Guanella Pass: Take I-70 to Georgetown. If you have time, stop at Georgetown lake first and take a stroll around. Once upon a time when my hubby was young he would ice race on this frozen lake in the winter with his Toyota truck. Head through Historic Downtown Georgetown following the signs up Guanella Pass.

The road is paved with several switchbacks but is easy to navigate. Bring your jacket because in Colorado, weather can change quickly, as it did today. We got sprinkled on at the summit and it was cold and windy. Once you reach the summit you can hike the trail to a summit of 14,264 elevation. That is if your lungs will allow it! Or, continue on to Grant or return to Georgetown. The road down to Grant is not paved. Let’s say that a washboard is smoother, but that is where you always find the best scenery.

One more picture for you…Trust me, the Aspen were actually brighter than this photo!

Photo by j.stunkard