The fall season comes early in Colorado's higher elevations. My husband and I know that as September approaches its last days it is nice to enjoy a car drive in the mountains to witness all the beautiful autumn colors at their peak. One of our favorite drives is on Guanella Pass from Grant to Georgetown.
Guanella Pass (highest elevation 11,669 ft or 3,557 m) is a high mountain pass and one of the many scenic byways in Colorado. It is an easy winding 24-mile drive with many aspen trees along the paved road and in the mountains surrounding it.
Our first stop along the way is at Geneva Creek, a tributary of the North Fork South Platte River, to the south. You can see a short video of the flowing creek in the video above.
The sky was a deep cloudless blue and the fall foliage colors were illuminated by strong sunlight.
Our second stop is always by this waterfall located very near the road, where we take a walk around to see all the views.
"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty" ~ John Ruskin
" Wild is the music of autumnal winds
Amongst the faded woods"
~ Willian Wordsworth
I always enjoy seeing this home that is along the way --- imagine living there for all four seasons?
Informational placards at a roadside pull-out--click on them to enlarge the photos and any other photo in this post
We reached the 11,669 ft or 3,557 m summit. We stopped here to take photos. As you can see the summit is above the tree line.
At the summit, hiking trails lead east to Mount Bierstadt (elevation 14,060 ft (4,290 m)) and west to Square Top Mountain, with many other trails connecting to the lower parts of the pass.
Leaving the summit we are soon surrounded by aspen trees again!
"The Heart of Autumn must have broken here, and poured its treasure upon the trees."
~ Charlotte Bates
Another favorite spot where we stop is on the Silverdale Trailhead above Georgetown.
In this short video, you can listen to how the aspen trees "quake" in a breeze!
"Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the Autumn tree."
~ Emily Bronte
It is easy to see why Fall is my favorite season!
PS: My heart goes out to all those impacted by the devastating Hurricane Helene. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
You can also find me on:
I'm linking with:
Mosaic Monday, Hello Monday, Through My Lens Monday, Hearth, and Soul Link Party, Anything Goes Monday, You Are the Star Blog Hop, Nature Notes, Home Matters Linky Party, Ducks in a Row, Good Random Fun, Tuesdays With A Twist, Talk About It Tuesday, The Happy Now Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday on a Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday 2, Wednesday My Corner of the World, Wonderful Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Skywatch Friday, Generic Link Up, Fantastic Friday, Saturday Sparks, Saturday Critters, Sunday on Silverado, Sunday Photo
25 comments:
Hello,
Wow the fall colors there are gorgeous! Beautiful trees and scenery! Our trees are not looking so colorful, a few here and there. Lovely Autumn post. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week ahead.
Spectacular color from this area, Pat. Happy last day of September to you!
I have enjoyed my virtual tour to enjoy your stunning scenery which is especially glorious with it's autumn colours. Have a great week!
Love these so colourful and scenic too :-)
Have an autumnictastic week Pat 👍
Colorado is such a beautiful state. You captured it well!!
Wow, wow, wow! These photos are just beautiful.
Delightful fall colours captured!
Nothing says fall like quaking aspens! Beautiful photos that you have. We are still running our air conditioners so it may a while before I have any fall photos, in the meantime, I'll enjoy yours.
Wonderful colors!
Pat - you always do such a spectacular job of showing off the beauty of Colorado in all the seasons! Yellow contrasted with blue skies is a stunning combo!!! Our aspens are quaking, too, and I love to stand and listen to the delicate fluttering! Your quotes are spot on, and the last mosaic is my favorite!
So very beautiful.
WOW! The fall colors are absolutely gorgeous!
I love your vivid imagery of the cloudless sky, illuminated foliage, and quaking aspens.
Beautiful post, Pat!
Truly amazing
What stunning and intense colour you saw on your trip. I love the quaking aspens, but we don't have them here. Gorgeous photos!
Wow! Those colours are just beautiful. No wonder you like to go for a drive as autumn sets in :)
Autumn is a wonderful season and the colours are glorious.
All the best Jan
outstanding views - just love the sea of yellow
Good Autumn colours.
Superb fall colors. Love that orange and blue!
Marvelous captures of colourful nature!
Beautiful.
Nature at its best. Looks so pretty
I am so jealous of your fall colors. We are in the middle of a prolonged heat wave here in NorCal and looking at your foliage eases my longing somewhat. Thanks.
Worth a Thousand Words
Absolutely outstanding, nature is awesome and you have captures it so well.
Thanks so much for participating and sharing your post at #47 #WW (Words welcome). See you Wednesday at #48
Colorado is stunning in the fall. Your photos are just gorgeous! Thank you for linking up.
Post a Comment