Out and About - Guanella Pass and Loveland Pass, Colorado

The secret to a successful road trip is two-fold: 1) be willing to take unexpected set-backs as the chance for new adventure, 2) be ready to activate your 'impromptu' gene.

Last Sunday, as part of our Out and About in Colorado adventures, we started out on a drive over the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway which connects Interstate 70 in the north and SR 285 in the south.

View of Georgetown from the start of Guanella Pass

Exit I-70 at the Georgetown exit, follow the  Guanella Pass signs through the quaint downtown (you may want to stop at Georgetown Valley Ice Cream and Candy for a ice cream cone!). The signs will lead you to the start of the pass which is actually a dirt road that quickly twists and turns its way up the mountain.

Well, that's the way it's supposed to go...

A mountain stream roaring with snow melt

Instead, when we stopped at the Visitor's Center in Georgetown to pick up some maps for the drive, we were informed that only the first four miles of the Byway were actually open. From there the road was closed as they attempted to repair a falling rock wall.

Undeterred, we decided to make the abbreviated drive and then we would get back on I-70 and head further west to drive the Loveland Pass. A suggestion made by the very helpful cashier at the Visitor's Center.

Along the shores of Green Lake 

The four mile drive was worth it. As we climbed we were greeted by the lovely view of Georgetown laid out beneath us. Then at the top of the drive I found this lovely little lake and the roaring mountain stream which fed it.

A view from Loveland Pass

Afterwards, we got back on I-70 and headed west to US 6 which took us up and over the Loveland Pass, the Continental Divide. This road has a steep 6% grade with lots of twists and turns that are challenging even in summer. I can't imagine what they would be like in winter, and yet, before the Eisenhower Tunnel was built, this was the way over the mountains and is still used by trucks today.

Adeline rocking the retro shades on the Continental Divide at 11,990 feet above sea level

At the summit of the Pass is the Continental Divide, where we stopped and took this picture of Mom against the backdrop of the towering peaks.

An alpine pond on the Pacific side of the Continental Divide

As we drove down the other side of the pass, we found this peaceful little pond, where we stopped for a moment.

US 6 ultimately drops down into Dillon. In town, Mom found one of her favorite shopping destinations, a local thrift store, where she scored a Coach bag for $18 and a beautiful red quilted winter jacket for $6! We then consulted one of the restaurant guides we'd picked up in the Visitor's Center in Georgetown and decided on an impromptu dinner in town. We stopped at Jersey Boys, the best pizza and sandwich joint in town according to our guidebook.... They were right, I enjoyed one of the best chicken parm hoagies I've ever had. In addition to happy bellies and full shopping bags, our stop meant that we avoided the usual Sunday crush of traffic on I-70 as we headed back to Evergreen.