Description: Want to say you climbed a fourteener while in Colorado but just don’t have the energy? Then a trip to Mount Evans is your answer. The summit, at 14,130 feet above sea level, is accessed by a drive up the highest paved automobile road in North America. And if you feel bad about saying you climbed to the summit when you actually rode in a car, you can hike another 130 feet from the parking lot to Mt. Evans highest point at 14,264 feet. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular along the way, and there are numerous places to pull off the road to enjoy the absolutely breathtaking views, have a picnic, or stretch your legs with a short walk along a well-beaten path. Mule deer, mountain goats, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are among the many varieties of wildlife you will see. The road to the summit is open only from Memorial Day through Labor Day and there is a fee (currently $10) per vehicle. However, you can drive as far as Echo Lake, which is about halfway to the summit from the Evergreen Parkway turnoff, all year round, and there is no fee to get to that point. The vista from Echo Lake is awe-inspiring. You can enjoy a walk along the ¾-mile path around the lake and top it off with a piece of home-made pie at the Echo Lake Lodge, which also houses a gift shop. The lodge is typically open from May through September. Phone: (303) 561-2138.
The trip to the summit from Echo Lake is 14.4 miles. The road is paved but winding and has some steep drop-offs. I recommend taking your time and stopping frequently to stretch your legs. The pristine beauty of Lincoln Lakes can be viewed with a brief walk down a path from one of the many pull offs. Be certain to schedule a stop at the Mount Goliath Natural Area as well. I always feel like I have entered an enchanted forest when I stroll through the 1,600-year-old bristlecone pines here. Summit Lake provides another opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the landscape. Of course, the most incredible views are from the very top of Mount Evans. There is an observation platform that was built on the ruins of what was once the Crest (or Summit) House restaurant. The restaurant was destroyed by fire in 1979 and was never rebuilt.
The turnoff to Mount Evans from Evergreen Parkway is well before you reach the town of Evergreen. Turn west onto Squaw Pass Road (Highway 103) from the Parkway. Echo Lake is about an 18-mile drive. No matter how hot it is in Denver, be sure you wear long pants and pack a jacket. It can be very cold at over 14,000 feet. Believe me--I speak with the voice of experience!
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