Mount Evans aka Mount Blue Sky - The Best Day Destination from Denver
Mount Evans is hands down one of my favorite places I've explored surrounding Denver. In preparation for their highly-anticipated scheduled opening day which usually happens in May around Memorial Day, I'll give you all the details on what you need to know. And be sure to read the “Tips” section, as it’s important to plan your trip. Take it from me—I almost got electrocuted!
COVID Update: They require time-entry reservations starting in June. You can find updates here.
Naming Update: The Colorado Geographic Advisory Board moved to make an official recommendation to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to change the name of Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky in November 2022. You may also hear it referred to Mount Blue Sky in the coming years and interchangeable within this blog post.
About Mount Evans
Mount Evans is a prominent mountain peak located in the Front Range region of the Rocky Mountains, in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. The mountain is named after John Evans, a former governor of the Colorado Territory. Mount Evans is known for its scenic beauty, rich history, and varied recreational opportunities.
The mountain has been inhabited by various indigenous groups for thousands of years. The Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne tribes were known to have lived in the region and used the mountain for hunting, fishing, and spiritual ceremonies.
In the mid-1800s, European American explorers and prospectors began to visit the area in search of gold and other precious minerals. In 1864, a party led by William Newton Byers became the first recorded group to climb Mount Evans.
The first road to the summit of Mount Evans was built in 1927, primarily for tourism purposes. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, which starts in Idaho Springs and climbs to an elevation of 14,130 feet (4,307 meters) over a distance of 28 miles (45 kilometers), is one of the highest paved roads in North America.
Today, Mount Evans is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching. The mountain is also home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, and various species of wildflowers.
As mentioned above, Mount Evans is proposed to change its name to Mount Blue Sky. The majestic mountain, once home to many Native American tribes, was also the place of the Sand Creek Massacre. The massacre resulted from Evans’ authorization to “kill and destroy, as enemies of the country…all hostile Indians” in a proclamation issued on August 11, 1864. More than 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were murdered under this authorization.
Getting To Mount Evans
Views from Highway 103 South
Mount Evans is located 60 miles west of Denver. You'll take the Idaho Springs exit off I-70. Follow Highway 103 south. You'll enjoy beautiful mountain views as well as Echo Lake Park, a pretty place to stop. Once you enter the park, you'll experience amazing views via Highway 5, the highest paved road in North America!
Pictured is Echo Lake Park as you drive up the road to Mount Evans.
Take a reliable, small vehicle with good brakes. We drove our 4Runner and whew, it was intense driving through the roads. The roads are extremely narrow and high with no guard railing. You are trusting everyone around you to drive responsibly through the winding roads. In some areas, you’ll roll to your death if you go off the side, so make sure someone who isn’t afraid of heights is driving. No distractions allowed!
Different Experiences at Different Elevations
You'll notice the change in plants, wildlife, temperature, and weather as you climb the mountain. Take it all in!
Mount Goliath
First, you'll come across Denver Botanic Garden's Mount Goliath. The parking is limited but waiting for a spot (or getting there early) is worth the walk to experience. Mount Goliath offers breathtaking views and nature trails through beautiful alpine plants. It is the highest cultivated garden in the United States. It’s designated as a birding hotspot on the Cornell University’s worldwide eBird citizen science website.
SUMMIT LAKE
Next, you’ll reach Summit Lake. I suggest continuing to Mount Evans and coming back to Summit Lake afterwards so you can beat the afternoon storms. Summit Lake is stunning and sits at the base of Mount Evans. It’s fun to think ‘wow! I was just up there!’ when you look up to Mount Evans from the lake. Summit Lake Park is the highest city park in North America and the highest park in the Denver Mountain Parks system. It’s a great place to enjoy incredible views or even go for a hike. There are several trails from here. On the other side of the road from Summit Lake are lots of fresh water trout streams.
Mount Evans
The highway takes you to the summit of 14,130 foot Mount Evans. Haven’t hiked a 14er? Well you can drive to one instead! 😂 Be sure to be off the peak before noon as storms roll in and it can be extremely dangerous. Don’t be surprised if you see the mountain goats as they typically hang around here.
Mount Evans Tips
The weather is in control! Taking a windbreaker/rain jacket is suggested. This is the one I have and use it regularly year-round in Colorado. Totally worth the investment!
Several people have advised not to climb Mount Evans as a 14er. They said there are far too many other ones that you can choose from. Why? The reward of reaching the peak is taken away by the people who drive to the top. They said if you put in the work, then you expect a beautiful silent moment at the top of the mountain peak and I totally agree.
Be off the mountain peak BEFORE noon (at least)! This is NOT a joke. Here's our story: We arrived to the peak around 11:30am. By time we hiked up the rocks to the summit and took a few photos clouds started to roll in. We were enjoying the incredible views and all the sudden started hearing a loud buzz. Our phones were lightly shocking our hands and the buzz grew louder as my hair started to stand straight up. It all happened quickly when a woman yelled “Get off the mountain now. The storm is here!” and started sprinting down the rocky terrain. Everyone quickly followed including us. When we got to the car we debriefed and talked about how DUMB it was we didn’t connect it to the electricity of the lightning. This was our first spring in Colorado and at the time we were naïve to weather that we now know very well. This rule applies to all summits in Colorado!
The park is weather dependent and may be closed if it's an unsafe day to travel through the mountains.
If you have time in the afternoon, be sure to visit Idaho Springs or stop at Echo Lake Park.
Other Colorado Hikes You May Like
Acorn Creek Loop is located in Silverthorne, Colorado and is an excellent hike to spot Colorado wildflowers including columbines, pasqueflowers, balsomroots, and lupines.