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For a
quick experience of the Rocky Mountain eco-systems, you could hardly find a better
tour. This winding and rugged road leap-frogs the steep divide
between the South Platte and Clear Creek watersheds, passing through a
succession of distinct environments. The lower elevations are green and wet,
thick stands of spruce, fir, aspen, and pine rising along cascading creeks.
Higher up, the streams snake through broad meadows, succoring thirsty mammals,
nesting birds, and the industrious beaver. The road crests well above
timberline, where every spring the grasses and flowers stubbornly renew, and the
fragile tundra thaws and blossoms. This old logging and mining area flanked by
Mounts Bierstadt and Evans, two of Colorado's 14,000+ foot giants, boasts two of the state's best-preserved Victorian
towns, Georgetown and Silver Plume. Georgetown is one of Colorado’s most visited
Victorian towns, an attractive, turn-of-the-twentieth-century gem that charms
the visitor with its Victorian gingerbread-style houses, flagstone sidewalks,
and aura of the bygone gold-rush era. The historic and scenic 28-mile paved and
gravel high mountain route across Guanella Pass starts from here. Guanella Pass
is an unforgettable experience, especially in September when the route abounds
in golden-leaf of Fall Aspens. The road trails between 14,000-foot peaks over
11,669-foot Guanella Pass, where the trailhead for Mt Bierstadt, the 39th
highest peak of Colorado, begins, an option available for the most adventurous.
From here it is downhill to Grant and the South Platte and the winding roads
back to Denver.
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Total trip time roundtrip drive from/back
to Denver is about 6 hours, including sightseeing in Georgetown, Silver
Plume and a short Guanella Pass summit hike.
Tour Option: as 1 night / 2 day tour with overnight
in a luxury B&B with stunning views of St. Mary's Glacier, or in the historic Georgetown
or Idaho Springs Hot Springs Resort.
Add-on Options: James Peak ascent, Mt Evans, Mt Bierstadt ascent, Georgetown Loop Railroad
Ride & Silver Plume, Guanella Pass, Clear Creek rafting.
Any tour can be customized per
your wish, either combining it with additional Colorado destination or tailoring
in activities such as hiking, rafting or fishing - email us your request! |
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