Saturday in the mountains

This is one of my favorite routes when I want to go to the mountains without driving too far. Taking Squaw Pass Road all the way from Evergreen to Echo Lake will refresh you and recharge your batteries.

 

It doesn't really matter where you stop, as long as you can see the mountain ranges in the distance... and there are plenty of spots along the road where you can pause for a few minutes and enjoy the mountains, endless sky, pine trees, and intricate clouds...

Oh... I didn't actually expect to see yellowish aspen leaves yet. Well, it only means that in a week or two it will be time to take the same route again and see more of these bright fall colors. I'll be waiting for it!

Being on this road and not stopping by Echo Lake is a crime! And the punishment is missing the amazing clouds and beautiful lake. So don't do it!

And while you're there, walk around the lake (quite an easy hike) and enjoy the views... and reflections...

Isn't it an amazing place to spend an hour or two?

But... no matter how nice it is to stay there, at some point you have to leave and head back. The road is calling and you must go...

But there is another place where I always like to make a stop, breathe the cool mountain air, and look out over the endless valley...

And just a few minutes from there is another spot you don't want to miss - Juniper Pass. All you need to do is walk for a couple of minutes and you can see the same valley from a completely different angle.

The cliffs are rough and edgy there... and quite popular with rock climbers. Can you spot them, huh?

The trail on the right is an easy one, and you can safely look around while protected by a thick stone wall (just on the left from the girl in purple). But the one on the left allows you to stay right on the rocky edge of the cliffs and gives you the same feeling as anyone climbing these mountains a few hundred years ago. This place is unforgettable, so don't miss it if you're in the area!

Well, that Saturday I stood on the cliff, basking in the hot Colorado sun, and didn't want to leave. But... I had to go back, so eventually I did...

And on my way back I stopped a few times, just to look at the endless valley and the distant ridges and peaks. The road was taking me home, but every time I stopped, it felt like the mountains were asking me to stay a little longer...

What beautiful views... and what a perfect way to end a Saturday in the mountains.

Photos taken on September 05, 2026.