Mt Evans (14,264′), Front Range
Mt Evans can be accessed via the highest paved road in North America, reaching an elevation of 14,130′. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, maintained by the Forest Service, offers easy access to Colorado’s inspiring high mountain environment. A drive up, and short walk to the top of Mt Evans, will take your breath away in more ways than one. On the 15-mile one-way drive, there are stops at Mount Goliath Nature Center, Summit Lake Park and the Summit Interpretive area of Mount Evans.
From the summit you will see another 14,000′ peak in close proximity, Mt Bierstadt (14,160′)
Mount Evans, along with Echo Lake, was designated as a historic site by the American Physical Society in 2017, commemorating the many cosmic-ray physics experiments conducted on the mountain between 1935 and 1960.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Mt Evans summit parking Lot
- Round trip: .25 miles / .4 km hike (14 miles /22.5 km drive)
- Elevation: 14,130′ – 14,264′ / 4,307 m – 4,348 m
- County: Clear Creek
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Wilderness: Mt Evans
Trail Pictures
North Americas highest road
North Americas highest road
Echo Lake near the Mt Evans Rd turn off
Echo Lake near the Mt Evans Rd turn off
Paved road
Paved road
Summit view of Summit Lake
Summit view of Summit Lake
View of Mt Bierstadt
View of Mt Bierstadt
Observatory on Mt Evans
Observatory on Mt Evans
View of Mt Evans Rd
View of Mt Evans Rd
Structure near the summit
Structure near the summit
The hike to the summit
The hike to the summit
Summit Lake below
Summit Lake below
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra
Mt Evans summit from Summit Lake
Mt Evans summit from Summit Lake
Summit Lake
Summit Lake
Ancient trees
Ancient trees
Old bristlecone forest
Old bristlecone forest
Conditions at the summit
Conditions at the summit
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
Follow the only paved road, Hwy 5, 14 miles to summit parking lot. Once there, take a short 1/4 mile hike and you will be standing on the summit!
Trailhead Directions