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| Guanella Pass   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.59300°N / 105.763°W Route Type: Hike Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 2
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Jun 9, 2003 / Jun 16, 2006 Object ID: 158176 Hits: 3196 Loading... Page Score: 86.04% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachSee the GETTING THERE section on the MAIN PAGE.
Route DescriptionFrom the HIGHER parking area, at the TOP of Guanella Pass, hike west on a wide and worn trail that starts on the opposite side of the road. The conical east face of Square Top is visible and beckons you. The trail crosses flat tundra on a level plane before losing altitude to begin a contouring trek across the high tundra west of Guanella Pass. The tundra has seen lots of abuse. Please stay on the trail while you are near the road.
The trail, once an old jeep road, passes through marshes and a number of crossings, all of which are soggy in the spring. With good route finding, you'll avoid getting too wet. The trail narrows to a single track as it approaches the lakes beneath Square Top's great east bowl.
Cross the east outlet of the lower lake and climb toward a barely legible sign at the base of Square Top's southeast ridge, just south of the lake. Follow this ridge (Class 1) to the summit ridge's east end. Once on top, stroll due west along Square Top's long summit ridge to the tippy top on the west end.
For the descent, retrace your steps to the east end of the summit ridge. Return via the same route or descend the northeast ridge (Class 2). Descending the northeast ridge, some loose rock may be present, so proceed carefully. Once down this steep section, steep tundra will give way to rollng tundra atop the northeast ridge, which is followed back to Guanella Pass. Contour around the south side of a series of knolls along the way to avoid unnecssary altitude gain.
At the end of the ridge, you'll come to a shallow gully flanked by two small ridges. The gully may have snow in it well into spring. Descend either ridge or the gully. Your car will be visible once you start the descent of this feature. Angle directly east down the great tundra slope, keeping an eye out below for a spot where the willows narrow, then drop directly to that spot. The trail will be visible just below the willows. You should intercept a use trail on your way down through this section, where you intercept the original trail and take it back to your car.
This route can easily be executed in reverse. Expect steeper climbing when ascending the northeast ridge just below the summit ridge.
MILEAGES
LOWER LAKE: 1.8 miles
SE RIDGE: 2 miles
SUMMIT RIDGE: 3 miles
SUMMIT: 3.4 miles
DESCENT: 3.8 miles
RIDGE GULLY: 5.2 miles
DROP TOWARD WILLOWS: 5.7 miles
INTERCEPT TRAIL: 6 miles
GUANELLA PASS: 6.5
ROUND TRIP MILEAGE: 6.5 miles
GAIN: 2316'
Essential GearSPRING: Gaiters, winter apparell and ice axe are recommended. Gaining either ridge will be a soggy affair in late spring.
WINTER: Full winter gear rcommended, including crampons and snow shoes for extreme snow coverage years.
FALL & SUMMER: Standard dayhike gear will do nicely.
Mount Evans Goat HerdA large mountain goat herd calls the Mount Evans-Guanella Pass area home. Your chances of encountering members of the herd are pretty good during your visit. Bring your camera! Do not get too close, though, and do not harass the animals. You'll find them very used to human activity and far from camera shy. However, be advised that they are simply after the salt in your urine, and some may be brazen in collecting a sample. Getting too close, particularly to mamas or babies could also invite a defensive attack, so keep your distance and make no sudden moves or sounds.
The goats may be present on Guanella Pass. Drive by any goats you encounter slowly. Do not feed the goats.
Goats encountered on Square Top may not be as tame as those encountered on Mount Evans, and may be more wary of humans.
The same precautions apply to Bighorn Sheep.
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Front Range (CO)
