The Central Mountains-So Many Choices!
Central Mountains North
Mount Evans 
How to get there:
I 70 exit 240 |
N39.7413° | W105.5195° |
| SH 103/Mt Evans Scenic Byway | N39.6568° | W105.5962° |
| Summit Lake | N39.5988° | W105.6385° |
| The Summit | N39.5877° | W105.6430° |
Take I-70 to exit 240 (Mt Evans/Idaho Springs). Turn south on SH 103 and drive 12 miles to the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway.
Photo Ops: 
Opportunities abound here: mountain vistas, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goats, other wildlife, flowers, bristlecone pines. All within an hour's drive from nearly anywhere in the Denver metro area. Drive from 8,700 feet at Idaho Springs where you turn off of Interstate 70 to 14,240 feet at the summit in just 28 miles. This is perhaps the best place in Colorado to catch a glimpse of the stately bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats.
6.5 Miles from the I 25 exit, SH 103 begins to climb through a series of switchbacks. Watch for some pull outs and a picnic area on the right side of the road. There are some really nice views of Mt. Evans. Morning light is best. Another 5 miles brings you to Echo Lake. Another half mile brings you to the junction with the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway.
2.8 miles up the Byway a visitor's center is located in an area of bristlecone pines. Another mile or so takes you to Mount Goliath, a mountain peak section of the Denver Botanic Gardens accessible by the M. Walter Pesman Trail.
At mile 8.9, one reaches Summit Lake. Be sure to take the short hike along the edge of the lake to stand atop the cliff overlooking the Chicago Creek drainage.
From Summit Lake it is another 5.3 miles to the summit of Mt. Evans. There are several dramatic overlooks and you can expect to see bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats anywhere in this section.
Webster Pass/Red Cone Pass 
Click image to enlarge.
How to get there:
US 285/CR 60 |
N39.4567° | W105.7215° |
| Webster Pass Rd/Red Cone Pass Rd | N39.4843° | W105.8022° |
| Webster Pass | N39.5313° | W105.8330° |
| Red Cone Summit | N39.5268° | W105.8220° |
Drive 3.3 miles west of Grant and take CR60 west. From the intersection, 4.9 miles will bring you to an intersection. The left fork leads to the Handcart CG. Take the right fork to reach the passes. Shortly thereafter you reach an itersection where the Red Cone Pass trail heads to the northwest. If you wish to go to Red Cone Pass, you must do so now because the road becomes oneway. To reach Webster Pass just go straight. From the intersection it is about 4.5 miles to Webster Pass. It is about 4.6 miles to the top of Red Cone and about a mile from there down to Webster Pass.
Webster Pass is a fairly straightforward 4wd road. The shelf road nearing the top of the pass is extremely narrow with limited areas where two vehicles may pass. It would be very challenging for large vehicles.
Red Cone Pass is not straightforward and is not recommended for the faint of heart! There are some very rough sections on the way up which push a stock vehicle to the limit. The drop from the top of Red Cone is hillclimb steep. There are literally moguls in the roadway formed by vehicles attempting to control their speed. It will put your heart right in your throat!
Photo Ops:
Spectacular "top of the world" vistas from both of these roads. I have never been on either pass when the sky has not been magnificent.
Around treeline on the Webster Pass Road, the road crosses a stream in an area of mine tailings and enters a basin. There are opportunities in this area to capture pictures of some small waterfalls and bright green moss in the stream. Further on as you approach the pass, there are some nice vistas of Red Cone Mtn.
On the Red Cone Pass road. as you approach the summit on a ridge line, there are fantastic vistas of the Webster Pass road valley and beyond to as far as the eye can see. Truly spectacular.
Mohawk Lakes
How to get there:
SH 9/CR 9 |
N39.4740° | W106.0423° |
| SH 9/CR 800 | N39.4483° | W106.0388° |
| Trailhead 2wd | N39.4450° | W106.0467° |
| Trailhead 4wd | N39.4213° | W106.0740° |
From Breckenridge, drive south on US 9. From the junction with SR 9 to CR 800 (Spruce Creek Road) is about 2 miles, turn right on Spruce Creek Road. Drive about 1 mile to a well marked parking area and trailhead. With 4wd you can continue about another two miles and park.
Photo Ops: 
The trail to this series of three lakes near Breckinridge has to be my favorite in all of Colorado. A 600' climb along a cascading stream through fields of flowers brings you to Lower Mohawk Lake, one of the most picturesque lakes I know of. The upper lake sits above treeline in a marvelous cirque.
Indian Peaks Wilderness
How to get there:
SH 72/Brainerd Lake Rd |
N40.0760° | W105.5028° |
| Pawnee Pass Traihead (approx) | N40.0757° | W105.5768° |
| Pawnee Pass | N40.0760° | W105.6352° |
The Indian Peaks Wilderness Area is located west of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway and borders the southern edge of Rocky Mountain NP.
Located west of SH 72 just north of Ward, the Brainerd Lake Recreation area is the starting point for the Pawnee Pass Trail, which has to be one of the most spectacular trails in all of Colorado.
Photo Ops: 
The fall colors along the Byway can be especially vivid and there are many photo ops of the Indian Peaks and Longs Peak.
The Pawnee Pass trail offers some excellent photo opportunities, from wildflowers around Long Lake and Lake Isabelle to some nice views above the lakes, including a large chimney rock formation. From the top of the pass one can see a bunch of jagged rock needles and a small lake in the foreground, Lake Granby, Monarch and Grand Lakes in the middle distance and what seems an endless vista beyond.
Guanella Pass
How to get there:
Guanella Pass Rd/Georgetown |
N39.7033° | W105.6985° |
| Guanella Pass | N39.5950° | W105.7112° |
| Guanella Pass Rd/US 285 | N39.4598° | W105.6627° |
From Georgetown off of I 70, follow the signs through town to the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway . From the edge of the town to the pass it is about 9.8 miles. From the pass it is another 12.7 miles to the junction with US 285.
Photo Ops:
The road passes by some very picturesque lakes and stands of aspen on the way to the pass. Be sure to explore some of the side roads along the way.
Central Mountains South
Crested Butte Page
Billing itself as the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado" there are many opportunities for amazing photos in this area. Fall aspen colors are usually spectacular also.
Taylor Park Page
I love this area. You are surrounded by fourteeners. Everywhere you look it is beautiful. It has hundreds of informal camping spots, numerous 4wd trails, and even some excellent fishing.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
How to get there:
US 50/SH 347 |
N38.4885° | W107.7402° |
| SH 92/Dogwood Ave | N38.7038° | W107.6125° |
| Bl. Canyon Rd/G74 the North Rim Rd | N38.5858° | W107.6970° |
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located approximately 250 miles southwest of Denver.
South Rim: 15 miles east of Montrose, via US 50 and SH 347
North Rim: From SH 92/Dogwood Ave. in Crawford, drive southwest on Dogwood keeping left on 1st Ave. and continuing straight as the road becomes 3850 Dr. At mile 4.6, turn south for 0.1 miles and turn west on Black Canyon Rd. In .75 miles turn south and follow Black Canyon Rd southerly for another 5 miles to reach G74 road at the park, a total distance of 12.4 miles.
Photo Ops:
With nearly sheer cliff walls 2250' high and as narrow as 40' at the bottom this canyon is nothing short of amazing. Try the many overlooks and trails for some incredible shots.
Maroon Bells/Independence Pass
How to get there:
US 24/SH 82 |
N39.0760° | W106.2812° |
| Independence Pass | N39.1088° | W106.5640° |
| SH 82/CR 13 | N39.1955° | W106.8403° |
| CR 13/Maroon Lake | N39.0985° | W106.9457° |
To reach Independence Pass:
From US 24 take SH 82 west 23.4 miles to the top of the pass. It is another 19.6 miles to the junction with Monarch St. in Aspen.
To reach the Maroon Bells:
On the western edge of Aspen, take CR 13 southwest about 11 miles. In the summer months this road is closed to vehicles and shuttle buses are used.
Photo Ops:
SH 82 has many large stands of aspens on both sides of the pass. The Twin Lakes can be gorgeous. Early morning light would be best here and on the east side of the pass, in general. Peak colors tend to be a little earlier than other locations, around the last week in September.
The Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in all of North America. With good reason! Restricted access in busy summer months, get there at dawn if possible and catch the reflections in Maroon Lake.
Marble/Crystal Mill
How to get there:
SH 133/CR 3 |
N39.1158° | W107.2708° |
Marble |
N39.0717° | W107.1883° |
| Crystal Mill | N39.0572° | W107.1123° |
| CR 3/Lost Trail Rd west | N39.0748° | W107.1590° |
| CR 3/Lost Trail Rd east | N39.0598° | W107.0968° |
Marble is 25 miles south of Carbondale, just off SH 133 on the West Elk Loop. Take CR 3 east 6 miles to the town of Marble and about another 6 miles to the mill. 4wd may be required after Marble.
The Lost Trail road loop to Lead King Basin forks to the north from CR 3 about 1.4 miles past Marble and reconnects with Cr 3 about 1.2 miles east of the mill.
Cr 3 becomes FR 317 and will eventually reach Schofield Pass and Crested Butte. This is a significantly dangerous 4wd road. There have been several fatalities from driver misjudgment.
Photo Ops:
One of the most photographed spots in Colorado is the mill on the Crystal River.
Other opportunities include some very nice vistas along CR 3C heading south out of Marble and the Lead King Loop 4wd trail which leads to a gorgeous alpine basin with a waterfall cascading down from Geneva Lake.
Cripple Creek/Victor
How to get there:
US 24/SH 67 |
N38.9418° | W105.1577° |
| SH 67/2nd St, Cripple Creek | N38.7467° | W105.1783° |
| SH 67/3rd St, Victor | N38.7102° | W105.1402° |
| SH 67/CR 88 Shelf Rd | N38.7430° | W105.1762° |
| Raynolds Ave/US 50, Canon City | N38.4478° | W105.2068° |
| SH 67/CR 86 Phantom Canyon Rd | N38.7105° | W105.1333° |
| CR 67/US 50 | N38.4373° | W105.1135° |
From the town of Divide on US 24, Cripple Creek is 18 miles south on SH 67. Victor is another 5.2 miles south on SH 67.
Photo Ops:
These two old mining towns are surrounded by large aspen forests and are located on the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway. The Shelf Road and the Phantom Canyon Road are two other possibilities worth exploring.
To reach the Shelf Road, drive south on SH 67 from the junction of 2nd St. in Cripple Creek, 0.3 miles to CR 88 and take it south. At about mile 7 take the right fork. Continue south and at mile 8.6 stay right as CR 88 rejoins the shelf road. The road becomes CR 9. Continue south to mile 24.1 (CR 9 has become Field Ave.), the intersection with Pear St. and turn east 1 block to N Raynolds Ave and turn south. You will reach US 50 in Canon City at mile 24.9. This road has a very different character from what I am used to in Colorado; it is very desert like. Watch closely for a herd of bighorn sheep around mile 8-10.
To reach the Phantom Canyon Road, take SH 67 east 0.4 miles from 3rd St. in Victor to the junction with CR 86 and turn southeast. Follow this road all the way to US 50 east of Canon City, a total distance of about 28 miles. This road is very different from the Shelf Road. Much more lush.
Central Mountains West
Grand Mesa
How to get there:
I 70 exit 49/SH 65 |
N39.1845° | W108.2807° |
| SH 65/Land's End Rd | N39.0327° | W108.0587° |
Crag Crest National Recreation Trail |
||
| SH 65/Crags Crest W Trailhead | N39.0437° | W107.9920° |
| Lakeshore Dr/Crags Crest E Trailhead | N39.0488° | W107.9365° |
| The Crest elev. 11,109' | N39.0612° | W107.9555° |
Scenic Overlooks |
||
| Skyway Point | N39.0458° | W108.0658° |
| Land o Lakes | N39.0295° | W108.0228° |
| Crater View | N39.0400° | W108.1447° |
| Land's End | N39.0252° | W108.2227° |
From exit 49 on I 70 take SH 65 the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway south.
Photo Ops:
Over 300 lakes, many roads and 4wd trails, dozens of hiking trails, meadows full of wildflowers, grand vistas; there are countless opportunities for good photos in this area.
The Crag Crest National Recreation Trail is a 10.3 mile circular trail consisting of a crest portion and a loop portion. It is accessed from two trailheads. One on the west end across from Island lake and one on the east adjacent to Eggleston Lake.The crest portion (6.5 miles) rises steeply from the East Trailhead to the top of Crag Crest. From the West Trailhead, the crest portion rises more gradually to the top of Crag Crest. Sections of the Craig Crest are on a narrow ridge with steep drop offs on both sides. The loop portion (3.4 miles) provides an alternative return route.
The view from Crag Crest extends in all directions. To the northwest, the Book and Roan Cliffs appear as multicolored cliffs and slopes. The view to the east and south includes the West Elk Mountain Range, the San Juan Range, and views of five of the 14'ers. To the west the Uncompahgre Plateau can be seen, and on the western horizon, the La Sal Mountains in western Colorado and eastern Utah is visible on a clear day.
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