Hidden Creek at Guanella Pass
The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway is a great introduction to Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Climbing to timberline, the byway takes in views of 14,060-foot Mount Bierstadt and the alpine tundra before descending into cool groves of aspen and pine, as well as the historic town of Georgetown.
It was one of those wet and rainy weekends that are so rare in Colorado. I decided to use the time to get some good creek shots and took the road from Bailey Colorado to Guanella pass. I stopped near the tree line at a creek and started to hike. I don’t remember how far I walked but I found this location and captured this image. I went back to the location the next year on a dry day and the rocks were dry and did not have the same striking color. The following year, trees had fallen over the rocks and the location wouldn’t ever be the same. 20 years later, I tried to find it but I have not been able to. This picture has a great deal of meaning for me. Often I wait for everything to be perfect and miss on opportunities to see things in the moment. This was a once in a lifetime picture and never would have been taken had I not ventured out into the rain.
