Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass is a familiar but charming area of Colorado's Front Range.  It is relatively close to Denver, but threads between two of the loftiest massifs in the state.  The heights of the Guanella Pass region hide a handful of alpine lakes.  Unlike the region's forest-flanked sub-alpine lakes, like Chinns and St. Marys, the alpine zone is treeless and exposed.  At least three of these alpine lakes--Silver Dollar, Square Top, and Shelf--are reasonable SUP destinations for an adventurous paddler.  They all require foot travel to reach.  Because of the significant effort to access these lakes, and the unceremonious nature of their settings, we weren't initially inclined to dedicate a blog post to their exploration.  But after spending some placid, relaxing time here on very hot summer days, we decided that their generic splendor was precisely why we should celebrate these alpine waters.  

Shelf Lake looking east; Square Top Mountain beyond

The Guanella Pass Road traverses 24 miles between Georgetown and Grant.  The Georgetown end of the road features two great paddling lakes--Georgetown Lake next to town and Clear Lake 5 miles up Guanella Pass Road.  These two lakes have easily accessible by vehicle and are detailed in our Clear Lake post.  Travelling south past Clear Lake, the fork spur to Silver Dollar is at mile 9 from Georgetown.  The pass summit and trailhead for Square Top and Mt. Bierstadt is at mile 11.  The Geneva Creek Road Junction to Shelf Lake is at mile 17.  If traveling from the Denver area, Shelf Lake is a little bit shorter to approach through Grant.  Both sides of the pass are easy, scenic drives.  

Vicinity Map [click to open]

    Location Info: [key]

    (Silver Dollar / Square Top / Shelf)

    Scenery: 3 / 3 / 4
    Shoreline Interest: 1 / 1 / 2
    Use: Moderate
    Fee: None
    Trailhead Access: Hi Clr 2WD Dirt /

    Paved / 2WD Dirt
    Hike: 1.8 mi./ 1.6 mi./ 3.4 mi.
    Elev = 11950 / 12050 / 11950
    Weather 

Diamond and Lost Lakes

Eldora, Colorado--popularly known as Boulder's closest ski area--is one of several gateways into the stunning Indian Peaks region of Colorado. Fourth of July and Hessie Trailheads are the two main trailheads into this part of the wilderness, accessing numerous jagged peaks and subalpine lakes in the Middle Boulder Creek drainage.  The upper tier of these lakes requires significant effort to access, but two of them--Diamond Lake and Lost Lake--can be reached by trails of moderate length and steepness.  

Beautiful Diamond Lake

The road to Eldora departs westward from the Peak to Peak Highway at the south end of Nederland, 0.6 miles south of the Highway 119/72 roundabout.  Stay right at the fork to the ski mountain, and continue through the small town of Eldora.  The Hessie Trailhead is at 4.8 miles and the Fourth of July Trailhead is 4 miles further up a bumpy, unimproved road.  

Vicinity Map [click to open]

   Location Info: [key]

    (Diamond / Lost)

    Scenery: 5 / 4
    Shoreline Interest: 3 / 2
    Use: High
    Fee: None
    Full elev = 10950 / 9800

    Access (Diamond): 

    Rough 2WD Dirt + 2.5 mi. hike

    Access (Lost): 

    2WD Dirt + 1.9 mi. hike

    Weather