« Modern Motorcycle Diaries | Main | Saturday Ride »
May 5, 2023
Guanella Pass
So today, my neighbors (JJ & Raquel) were having a party and I figured that, before the party, I'd go for a little ride.
My neighbor (Mark) and I had been discussing Guanella Pass because he does search and rescue operations for Park County, and Guanella Pass is arguably on the border between Park County and Clear Creek County.
So, I took I-70 west to Georgetown, and then exited, and headed up towards Guanella Pass. My thought was "like today is nice, let's go check it out" and I passed many more lakes than I was expecting and eventually, I got to the place where there's a steel arm across the road at Naylor Lake Road. And, as I got close to Naylor Lake Road, it started to snow. even though it's Friday May 5th. But, some part of me wants/likes this. To go out and ride...to push the envelope a bit. I mean, I had thought about doing Loveland Pass or Berthoud Pass, but then I thought I'd check out Guanella Pass just to see how it's looking for the season. Mark has search and rescue missions in Park County which is just on the south side of Guanella Pass.
It's about 8.8 miles from Georgetown to Naylor Lake Road, where the road is closed for the season. (The road is closed, but when it's open, it's about 2 more miles to the summit of Guanella Pass, and then about 2.5 miles south of Guanella Pass summit is Geneva Basin Road which is roughly where the Park County Line is. and it switches from Clear Creek County to Park County. At the county line, the road changes from Guanella Pass Road (Clear Creek County Road 381) to Geneva Road (Park County Road 62).
So, I made it to where the road is blocked off for the season, at Naylor Lake Road. And then, I turned back. It snowed on me on the way up there, and on the way back, even though it's May 5th. I mean, it wasn't snowing hard, but it was snowing, and it's kind of dicey to be riding down the a mountain pass in May. Even though it's not snowing hard, it is snowing, and that's scary to anyone with half a brain.
Note: On the South side of Guanella Pass, it's approximately 13 miles from US Highway 285 to the summit of Guanella Pass. On the south side, it's reportedly closed at approximately 5 miles from the summit. So, in theory, you should be able to go approximately 8 miles north of Grant on Geneva Road (Park County Road 62) before the Guanella Pass is closed/blocked for the season.
So, I made it back to Carl's Jr. at Idaho Springs. I hate their menu/employees because they ask you if you want a Medium or a Large when you order your drink. I don't want a Medium or a Large, so STFU. Frustrating. But this time, I set them straight. I don't want a Medium or a Large, go STFU.
So, after I eat at Carl's Jr., I head back home and somehow, I outrun the storm that has been encroaching on Georgetown.
I make it back to my place in time to head over to the party at JJ & Raquel's place.
Posted by Rob Kiser on May 5, 2023 at 9:01 PM
Comments