We met up with Stacie and Dre for their Guanella Pass engagement photos on a warm fall afternoon in Clear Creek County. The aspens were golden and glowing, drawing in a steady stream of leaf peepers who were eager to catch the fall colors at their peak. Our first stop was at the Burning Bear Trailhead, where the fall colors were nothing short of breathtaking. Stacie and Dre brought along their adorable dog, Teddy, who stayed loyally by their side throughout the session and was impressively well-behaved.
We kicked off their engagement session surrounded by vibrant aspens, with soft golden light streaming through the trees—an absolutely perfect fall afternoon. From the very beginning, Stacie and Dre were ready to jump into the fun. Their natural connection made photographing them an absolute joy—and their sweet dog definitely stole the spotlight a few times! We explored the meadow and made our way down to Geneva Creek for a few photos by the water. However, as the sun quickly dipped behind the trees, we pivoted back to the meadow to take full advantage of the soft, golden afternoon light and the mountain views.
Across the street at Abyss Trailhead, we found the most stunning grove of aspens to shoot in, which was some of the most stunning colors we’ve seen this fall season! Shortly afterward, we headed up to the summit of Guanella Pass for the second half of the session. As we climbed higher, the sweeping mountain views unfolded before us.
One of the highlights of the session was when Stacie and Dre popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate their engagement. They toasted to their future together, and the energy in those moments was so contagious it felt like we were celebrating alongside them. Stacie and Dre’s playful side shone through as they couldn’t stop laughing and joking with each other, while the summit backdrop added an adventurous touch to their Guanella Pass engagement photos.
As the sun began to set, the golden hour light blanketed the mountains in warm tones. Stacie and Dre embraced the evening with some more heartfelt and fun energy. Originally planning to tie the knot this fall at a private family ranch in Silt, Colorado, they’ve since switched up their plans and are now planning an intimate elopement in Italy next spring. We couldn’t be happier for these two and all the exciting adventures this next chapter will bring!
Why Guanella Pass is Perfect for Engagement Photos
Guanella Pass is one of Colorado’s top spots for fall sessions and for good reason. The Abyss Trailhead boasts the most stunning grove of aspens along the pass—an absolute must-see, especially in autumn. Across the street, the meadow offers sweeping mountain views, not to mention the river access to Geneva Creek for even more dynamic photo opportunities. From vibrant aspen groves at lower elevations to the dramatic alpine vistas at the summit, Guanella Pass has such great variety for engagement photos that offer both expansive mountain views as well as secluded forested spots.
Planning Your Own Guanella Pass Engagement Session
If you’re considering Guanella Pass as a location for your engagement photos, summer and fall are the best times to visit. In mid-July, Guanella Pass is sweeping with wildflowers and in mid-late September the mix of vibrant foliage and breathtaking mountain scenery creates a one-of-a-kind backdrop.
Be sure to check the weather radar and pack layers, though! Colorado’s mountain weather is famously unpredictable and much cooler at higher altitudes, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. Bringing extra warmth will keep you comfortable and allow you to focus on enjoying the session.
Enjoy some of our favorite photos from Stacie & Dre’s Guanella Pass engagement photos last fall.
Looking for more examples of Guanella Pass engagement photos or would like to learn more about our engagement photography packages? Check out pricing page for details or our blog for more recent work!
