Echo Lake is a delightful mountain park with picnic benches, lake fishing, and views of snowcapped peaks. Almost a century on, it’s a playground for cyclists, hikers, and, well, cars. I agree, those things are nasty, but if you wait long enough, you can get up there post-storm and get a rare opportunity to explore the nether regions of close-to-space altitude with nary a car, the ability to enjoy peaceful pockets of completely undisturbed flora and fauna, the quiet after the cars and tourists have disappeared, and a sky like no other. It’s a shame that the word has been so debilitated through use and mocking of its use to render it almost useless. Evans - West Ridge via Mt. In other words, things get really high, really early on the second half. Drive south on Colorado 103 for 13.5 miles to Echo Lake. It would make for an absolutely spectacular stage where only the best (acclimated) climbers need apply. Evans: from Idaho Springs and Bergen Park. Back to top. Gorka Izagirre Triumphant at Rain-Soaked Grande Trittico Lombardo, Seven Things We Like (The Ardèche Version), Our Favorite Parts of Riding with the MP1 Nfinity, Five of Our Favorite Things About the Cannondale Synapse NEO 1, Chapter 4: Discovering Beaujolais—Beaujeu to Cluny. It’s the site of the final duel between David and Muezzin. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Pikes Peak Hwy is Colorado’s second highest road (not all paved), reaching 14,115 ft. Whether they were built during a great war, connect opposing valleys, or just to form an artery to a ski resort, there’s a reason behind them. With the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893, the mining and agricultural economy plunged the still fledgling state to the brink of disaster. It starts in Bergen Park, climbs Juniper and Squaw Passes before taking on Loveland Pass and finally, Vail Pass. If this year’s Tour of Colorado takes hold and gains enough steam to come back in 2011, don’t be surprised if Mount Evans ends up on the stage list at some point soon. The ride starts at the middle school next to the visitor's center at I-70 exit 240 in Idaho Springs at about 7000' elevation. It will literally challenge body, mind and spirit. The Cascade and Pikes Peak Toll Road Company took on the major task of building a road to the top of Pikes Peak. Parking at the summit is usually available on weekdays; you may wait up to 30 minutes for a parking spot on crowded weekends. It is never really steep nor is the climb from Echo Lake to Mt Evans ever really steep. I’ve been up a few of them, struggled up all of them, but riding my bike to that altitude is unquestionably my preferred mode of transit. These distraction points are extremely helpful, as the road is not of the curvaceous sort; you can see vast expanses of what’s to come far in front of you, so the little distractions help to keep one focused on the task at hand and not quaking at the thought of how much further there is to go. I love bikes, I love to ride my bike, I love the very basic feeling of turning the pedals over, my hands on the bars, the view down to my rotating feet, even the feel of my helmet strap on my chin. So there we were, approaching Summit Lake, with still a solid five or so miles of climbing to go, a perfect sunset gearing up to hit full blast, and mountain goats happily using me as a salt lick. That one instantly went into the treasure chest of I-won’t-ever-forget-this moments. This is the world from 14,127 feet, and I’m pedaling a bike—a road bike at that. That goes on top of the starting point of almost 11,000 mind you. Leave Evergreen, CO and access the Mount Evans Road and Mount Evans Recreation Area from Squaw Pass, CO 103 at Echo Lake. Well, it’s still a bit short of that altitude, but there aren’t too many (paved) roads that flirt so closely with the heavens. A climb like Evans, which reaches such a special altitude, allows for a unique experience in terms of what you see. Mount Spaulding and Mount Evans via Summit Lake - Standard Route is a 5.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Idaho Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. 7000' elevation gain. Mount Evans doesn’t have any of that vintage, but it’s estimated that the small forest of bristlecone pines near Mount Goliath has some trees that are close to 1,700 years old. 49 . The latter has long been the highest paved road in North America (5th highest in the world) and is only open in the summer. Rockies Playground . Evans Highway. First few miles after turning onto Mt. Echo Lake is located along Highway 103 just north of the Mount Evans Entrance station. (WINTER) HOLD ON! On a bit larger scale, mountain goats comprise one of my favorite memories of Evans. Trip Tips . Bergen Park . Echo Lake Lodge (build in 1926) can be found at the entrance to Mount Evans, some 14 miles from Idaho Springs (Interstate 70) and 14 miles from the summit. Fees are charged per vehicle or per person for hikers and bikers. and the third? The highway to the top of Mount Evans … I really enjoyed this mountain, and have been longing to return here and summit via my road bike. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. On the women’s side, the rider who puts the term evergreen to shame, Jeannie Longo holds the record on Evans. Of course you do. The knotted, gnarled trunks of the beautiful trees show their vast age and also offer up a nice little distraction. Drive south on Colorado 103 for 13.5 miles at Echo Lake. Echo Lake Lodge: Gateway to Mt. Its length is … If you don't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner. The road to the summit of Mount Evans is the highest paved auto road in North America, climbing to 14,260 feet above sea level. Spalding Route. Evans. Glimmering to the west of Denver, the Rockies were always going to be the focal point of tourism in the state. . The third time, a month later (I needed time to recover from that last ordeal), the sun shone, my body cooperated, and I finally had a chance to drink in the view. You know the one, it’s where David’s scowling nemesis tries to take our hero off the road, but David holds on, attacks, and takes the win? The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in Colorado, at 14,130 ft. Colorado’s “New Switzerland” opened by 1930. If you’re not into racing, but still love a huge day on the bike, the local cycling organization, Team Evergreen, puts on a huge event each year called the Triple Bypass. The Best Part It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Such were the joys of high-altitude exploration in my first year of riding bikes. Mount Evans: Echo Lake on Mt Evans - See 2,534 traveler reviews, 1,789 candid photos, and great deals for Denver, CO, at Tripadvisor. In Europe, and the rest of the world for the most part, the great high-altitude roads often have some kind of a purpose. How to Get There. Colorado is blessed with 54 mountains that poke through the illustrious 14,000-foot (4,267-meter) mark. Denver was not to be overshadowed by its southern neighbor. You can park near the lake (by the picnic area) or drive up to the Echo Lake Lodge and park in one of the parking lots near the entrance to the Mt. Summer . That’s 28 miles—uphill—to over 14,000 feet. Take Highway 5 to the top of Mount Evans. TIP: One of our favorite day-trips with visitors who are not from Colorado, is to take them to Echo Lake, Mt. At that time we were with some inexperienced hikers, and I wanted to give them an easy day. The race was renamed in 1981 to honor five-time winner and prodigal talent, Bob Cook, who died of cancer at the age of 23. At the entry station you have to pay $3 for a three day pass (hiker, biker, or motorcyclist) and then you see the sign "Summit Lake 9, Mt Evans 14". The finish is at Echo Lake. Danielson has taken part in the hill climb three times, and holds the three fastest ascents, ranging from the aforementioned record to a slightly more sedate time of 1:43:04, a whole 1:48 slower. Fortunately, for once, cars and bikes coexist rather seamlessly in the upper elevations despite the narrow, barrier-less road and the yawning depths that beckon if you ever go a bit wayward at the wheel, er, handlebars. Idaho Springs is the classic route, which is used by the annual Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb, which often serves as the Colorado State Hill Climb Championship. It is the only place between Idaho Springs on Highway 70 and Mount Evans where you can find an excellent meal, water & other hiking needs and Mount Evans collectibles and souvenirs. The start is less than half a mile from the Idaho Springs exit. The grade remains at 5-6% once inside the park, and we slowly climbed out of the trees. Over three hours of climbing later, I was drunk from far too many thousands of feet above sea level. Warren and Mt. Evans summit at 14,200. Bikes Allowed: No: Horses Allowed: Yes: Related Trails: Beartrack Lakes; Hell's Hole Trail ; Missouri Lakes; Chicago Lakes - 9.8 Miles Round-Trip The Chicago Lakes are accessed from Echo Lake, 13.25 miles south of I-70 (Idaho Springs) in the Mt Evans Wilderness Area. Some park at Summit Lake … A few years back, my father and I did a late evening ride up Evans and found a small herd of mountain goats lounging in the middle of the road. The best time ever was set in 2004 by Tom Danielson in a mind-bogglingly fast one hour, forty-one minutes and twenty seconds. The Colorado Department of Transportation typically closes this 5 … There are two main routes to the top of Mt. From Echo Lake to the Mount Evans parking lot, it’s another 14.65 miles. It would be a 10-mile trek to Summit Lake, and 14 miles the actual summit. From Bergen Park: Take Squaw Pass Road/Highway 103 west and travel to Echo Lake. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway consists of State Highway 103 from Idaho Springs, Colorado on I-70 about 13 miles (21 km) to Echo Lake, and Colorado 5 from Echo Lake 15 miles (24 km), ending at a parking area and turnaround just below the summit. Evans and the route involves an elevation gain of 6,724 feet. At this point, it’s a cliché to say that it’s a cliché to say epic. The History The race organizer was working the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. 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