Summiting Mount Evans in Colorado – The Easy Way
Fourteen thousand one hundred and thirty. Stand at the top of Mount Evans, and that is precisely how many feet above sea level you’ll be. At the summit the air is thin and wispy, lacking the oxygen saturation found at lower altitudes. The temperature is significantly colder – on a day where the city of Denver sizzled at 95 degrees, my thermometer struggled to register 40 degrees at the summit. And the wind can be absolutely brutal, stealing hats and sending them off the side of this 14,000 foot behemoth.
The views from the top of a mountain can be incredible – there is something satisfying about looking down on just about everything. It’s a perspective afforded only to those willing to make the difficult journey to the top – for 51 of the 14,000 peaks in Colorado, anyways. Mount Evans is one of only two mountains in Colorado (with Pikes Peak being the other one) offering a road to the top, making this extreme environment accessible to anyone with a car and a sense of adventure.
The Journey Up Mount Evans
The mountain looms large over the city of Denver, which makes it an easy day trip for those in the city. Within 30 minutes, I’d left Denver behind and found myself in Idaho Springs, the former mining town-turned-gateway for mountain adventure. From Idaho Springs, it’s only another 13 miles to the base of the Mount Evans skyway – the highest paved road in North America.
Though I’d been gaining elevation since leaving Denver, it is here at the base of Mount Evans that my climb began in earnest. The road starts near Echo Lake, which serves as a jumping off point for hikers, campers, and backpackers in the surrounding Chicago Lakes wilderness areas. A sub-alpine forest surrounds the lake and the first stretch of road on the Mount Evans climb cuts a swath through this forest.
As the pavement follows the natural curves and bends of the mountain, the pines gradually become smaller, shorter, and less dense as the sub-alpine forest gives way to the tundra. Above treelike, the plant life has adapted to the harsh conditions, cold temperatures, and short growing seasons. Small and fragile mosses and wildflowers blanket the grounds, and signs warn curious visitors to stay on designated trails as a few errant footsteps can do significant damage to the landscape.
I pulled over at Summit Lake, a popular stopping point on the way up to the summit of Mount Evans. The lake was thawing from a long winter freeze and large slabs of ice bobbed on the surface.
The trails around Summit Lake provide some of the best views of Mount Evans, giving perspective to the remaining portion of the climb from this vantage point just below the summit.
Past the lake, the road pushes forward on its final ascent to the top of the mountain. AsI climbed, my thermometer continued to fall. Here, snow lined the side of the road, a lingering reminder of the harsh winters the mountain endures. It was becoming clear just how high I’d climbed, as everything around me was now below me, save for the mountain itself on one side. Each turn in the road provided a new vista of the other mountain peaks that I was now looking down on.
my rental car is a patient model while posing for pictures
I coaxed and egged my car up the remaining switchbacks, and only an hour and a half after my journey began from my house in Denver, I arrived at the roof of America.
At The Summit of Mount Evans
At the top of one of the tallest mountains in America, the conditions are harsh – even in the summer. I parked my car and for the first time, felt the power of the wind at the top of Mount Evans. My car rattled and shook, shifting from side to side and vibrating my rear view mirrors, blurring their reflected images. I grabbed my camera, braced myself against the door and put my shoulder into it, forcing it open against the wind’s will.
I leaned into the wind and took several heavy steps to the viewpoint. After my sunglasses were almost blown off my face, I quickly secured them in my pocket, and checked for any other loose items. I struggled to keep my balance in the wind, grabbing a hold of support bar to steady myself at the lookout.
Despite the wind, the experience at the top was incredible. The views stretched across the South Park valley to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains over 300 miles away. I could only stare in awe for so long though as the wind forced me to seek some shelter.
Thankfully, the Castle in the Sky provides a wind break for visitors to the summit. The building was once a restaurant and gift shop, but a propane explosion in 1979 destroyed much of the building. After the site was secured, the ruins were left as an observation point. For me, It also provided a respite from the fierce winds.
I ran out to for one more look over the summit, and made a (very) quick video to demonstrate just how windy it was at the top.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O52vU7nrENg&feature=g-upl[/youtube]
Eventually, the wind won out and forced me back into my car, and back down the mountain. As I took my foot off the gas and let gravity, take me back down, I gazed out at the other peaks, the tall pines below, and the wide open vistas that are only possible at 14,000 feet above sea level.
With all my travel to other places the past year, it had been a long time since I took a some time out to explore my own state. There’s no place I’d rather call home, and it’s moments like this one that remind me why.
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34 Responses to Summiting Mount Evans in Colorado – The Easy Way
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Dang! This is one of the most beautiful posts I’ve read in a long time. Your description is spot-on with the spectacular photos. I want to go here now!
Leah Travels recently posted..Inside the House of Waterford Crystal (Part 3)
Thanks Leah. I don’t know how long you’ll be in CO for, but it’s a pretty easy drive to make on the way back from Summit County. You just have to make it up in the morning before the thunderstorms.
nice how you love your home state!! life can be so busy, it’s easy to take for granted the great sites right in our own backyards!!
AND i’m a big fan of adventure – the easy way
Agreed. I took a week off last year to explore my home state and was blown away by the diversity.
Wow, being European, I consider myself lucky that I am able to travel to the USA 3-4 times a year. Huge problem, though: the USA is soooooo big! This is another place to add to my ultimate USA list. Thank you for writing about it – I have never heard of it!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..My favourite places in Palm Desert, Palm Springs and other California desert cities
That’s great that you’re able to come over so often. It is a huge place with so much diversity, even Colorado alone has desert, tundra, prairie, forest, sub-alpine, and many other environments.
Wow, fantastic photography, John!! This must have been an incredible trip. I’m always in awe driving through mountainous areas. I’ve been meaning to visit Colorado for a while now and Mount Evans definitely goes on my list of to-dos.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Boutique-shopping: more than dressing up
Thanks for the kind words. It was a great way to kick off my weekend.
Lovely read this, John. Fantastic finding out about a part of Colorado I knew nothing about and props to you for heading out in that wind. Photos are gorgeous too.
Will – DontFlyGo.com recently posted..Fuelling Your Overland Travel Desires: 10 Cracking YouTube Travel Channels
Thanks Will.
First off, amazing photos! They seriously make my heart hurt; I haven’t been to Colorado in years and was so looking forward to seeing the mountains again this weekend. Alas, I cannot make it out for TBEX and I am bummed beyond belief. Secondly, I am surprised to learn that Mt. Evans is home to North America’s highest auto road. I just figured that titled was owned by Beartooth Highway in Montana. Good to know!
Francesca recently posted..Where to go for the Big 4-0?
I hope you get to make it back to Colorado soon, it is beautiful.
I didn’t know you could drive to that elevation. Great story… when did you find the time to put this post together?
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Photo Teaser #33: Close-up angels
I actually made the drive up last weekend (right before I met Cynthia, oddly enough) and wrote up the story from Wichita last week.
Incredible stuff…hard to believe your little Ford Focus or whatever that is made it to the top of a mountain! That road would definitely make me nervous…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Bay Hill – Deej’s Picture of the Week
Haha yeah it wasn’t the best vehicle choice, but it got the job done.
Interesting that it is the highest paved road in America. If I ever get that question in Trivial Pursuit I will thank this blog.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Wood lily brightening up Sleeping Bear Dunes
Haha thanks Ted. I’m glad I could help you win that pie piece.
Can’t believe we haven’t made it out there yet. And we’re from California! I doubt I’d ever win the battle with the wind there though, I’m as light as a feather. LOL. The view looks natural and stunning!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Being Great Wall Flowers
There are some really amazing views to be found in Colorado – others with a little less wind!
Lovely description of your road trip to Mount Evans John. The photographs are pretty spectacular too – the scenery from the road looks so sparse but beautiful – kind of like a TV commercial for a car!
Fiona recently posted..The Dublin Edit: Exchange Dublin Interview
That lead photo is beautiful, the landscapes here are so fantastic.
Ayngelina recently posted..My newest chef crush
ahh i should have read this pre-tbex, these photos are gorgeous!! and your video cracked me up–just a little windy, huh?
the lazy travelers recently posted..a perfect day at the jersey shore
I just recently returned from Colorado myself and I wish I knew I could have made this drive. Many people I met talked about “doing a 14er,” I never knew it could be done like this. Great images too, your home state is quite beautiful.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – Sunset at Keystone Resort, Colorado
I have only been up Pikes’ Peak of the 14ers. Need to add this one to the to-do list. By the way, the photography is simply OUTSTANDING!
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Photo of the Week – Walking Home into the Sunset
Thanks Raul! They’re very similar. In my opinion, the view from Pikes is actually a little better. Plus you can get high altitude donuts there.
I miss Colorado. I can remember going up Mt. Evans and being dizzy when I got to the top as we tried to walk around from the lack of oxygen. It was also June when I was there and it started to hail for a minute. A great place to visit indeed.
Eric Bynum recently posted..5 Ways being an Expat has Prepared Me for Backpacking
The weather can be very unpredictable! Hope you can make it back someday.
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I drove up Mt Evans in the 60′s and early 70′s… road was unfinished to the top. You had to dismount and walk about 1/2 mile. The snack bar was there but I don’t remember going in it either on trip. Spectacular views and bracing weather at the summit. Maybe I’ll make the trip again… it is well worth the drive!
It’s definitely worth it, and now the drive is a little easier that it’s paved.