Mount Evans Scenic Byway & Wilderness

Mount Evans is the road into the sky. Drive from 8,700 feet at Idaho Spring where you turn of Interstate 70 to 14,240 feet to the summit and you will pass through 3 life zones, passing ancient trees, lakes and forest to the land above timberline. It can be 90 degrees in Denver and 40 degrees at the top of Mount Evans. Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep will greet you as you climb to the top of the world.

Rocky Mountains can make their own weather and high winds can easily turn surface snow in to a blizzard thus closing the highway. THE MOUNTAIN WILL BE OPEN ONLY WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE SAFE. Call the Clear Creek Ranger Station at 303-567-3000 before you begin your trip to Mount Evans.

About the Mount Evans Road: The first 4 miles from Idaho on 103 is surprisingly flat then there is a 4-6% grade to the entrance that continues to Summit lake. The last 5 miles has grades of 2-5% but because you are above 12,000 feet it will feel like 10-15% grade.to top. See Bicycling Page for elevation/grade chart.

July, 2009 - Mount Evans will be CLOSED every Wednesday and Thursday in July.

The Mount Evans road has been severly damaged in the area around Lincoln Lake and for 1/4 mile after Lincoln Lake. During July, there will be extensive repairs necessitating the closure of Mount Evans for 2 days a week. Mount Evans will be closed every Wednesday and Thursday until the road is repaired.

July 18, 2009 (Saturday) The Annual Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb will cause the Mountain to be closed to vehicle traffic. 

More information to follow. If you are planning the ride, you may want to view our page about mountain riding on Evans:  Bicycling Mount Evans  and  Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb  To register for the 2009 Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb visit this website: http://www.bicyclerace.com/.

Fight over public lands fee dismissed by the court

The lawsuit claim the Forest Service is violating the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which gives the agency permission to charge fees for specific services or amenities. THIS LAWSUIT was dismissed by the courts in 2009.

The amenities fees are valid and will be charged for any vehicle passing the entrance station. . Individuals who hold current Federal Recreation Passes (the Annual pass or the lifetime Senior or Access passes) are of course admitted without additional charge. See Access Fees for more information about fees to access Mount Evans.