May 22, 2009 — Mount Evans is scheduled to open on this day... More...
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.
May 22, 2009 - Mount Evans is CLOSED until May 22, 2009.
MAY 22, 2009 IS THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPENING DATE FOR 2009, so please do not call the Forest Service about opening day... they will give you the same answer!
Every year we look forward to the last Friday before Memorial Day as the scheduled opening day for Mount Evans. In prior years, favorable weather had permit an earlier open day. Now a new agreement between CDOT and the Forest Service precludes any chance of it opening sooner. MAY 22, 2009 IS THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPENING DATE FOR 2009!. In some years, there is no hope of getting the mountain open by Memorial Day due to last spring snows.. We keep an eye on the mountain and will post any change to the opening day ritual.
July 18, 2009 (Saturday) The Annual Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb will cause the Mountain to be closed to vehicle traffic.
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.
This website is sponsored by:
Baxter's on the Creek — Recently (August 2008) selected best Bed and Breakfast in Clear Creek County. Each room offers privacy and warm accommodations. Views of Chicago Creek or Mountains.
Echo Lake Lodge — Your best choice for Mount Evans memorabilia including t-shirts, shot glasses, coffee mugs, hats & caps, refrigerator magnets as well as authentic American Indian made arts and crafts. Sorry no lodging available.
New Faces on Mount Evans
New Google Topo Map
New Google Topo Map If you have problems opening this map, please let me know including browser and version.
