Beautiful mountains, and tundra surroundings encompass the Guanella Pass area! From the parking lot the Rosalie trail (Tr 603) heads south. You will hike a short distance – about 15-20 minutes until you reach the top of the small hill. From that point, you have a 360 degree view of the valley below. This is a short hike, but a good one just to wander around the area, take photographs, picnic, take-in the scenery and relax at an elevation of 11,700 ft. above sea level! If you have binoculars, you may see Rocky Mountain Big Horn sheep and/or mountain goats grazing on the side of Mt. Bierstadt!

There is another trail that you might like to try that goes east (toward the valley). You may just want to wander down the path a short way until you reach the small pond or creek. This will take you about 20 minutes as well.

The mountains that you will see include Mt. Bierstadt (14,060ft.), Mt. Evans (14,264 ft.), Geneva Mtn. (12,335 ft.) and others to the northwest. Straight ahead to the east is Mt. Bierstadt a very popular, “easy” fourteener. Many hikers, expert and beginner alike love this area.

Restrooms available at parking lot.

Picnic Recommendations:
At the top of the hill on the Rosalie trail there sits a huge rock – this is your picnic overlook. We prefer to snack here and eat in Georgetown below.

Other hikes in this area you may enjoy: Square Top Lakes, Mt. Bierstadt, Silver Dollar Lake Trail

For Guanella Pass Seasonal Road Conditions and Closure times click Colorado Dept. of Transport