I was so excited to have my family come to Colorado this year, and my whole family too! Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email. You can check out some pictures from the day below or watch the video recapping the entire hike. Hike 14er Mount Bierstadt. Mount Evans is a simple, yet drop dead gorgeous 14er. That being said, no 14er is easy by any means. The hike between the summit of Mt. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. On a hot day, make sure to bring extra bottles of water because this hike will get you exposed to elements. A few places to drive up over 14,000 feet include Mt. The prominent 14,271-foot (4,350 m) fourteener is located 13.4 miles (21.6 km) southwest by south (bearing 214°) of Idaho Springs in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide between Arapaho National Forest and Pike National Forest. Spalding is an epic hike that will provide separation from the crowds on this popular Colorado 14er! 0.6 mi). Here in Colorado, we have 58 fourteeners spread throughout the state, ranging from challenging hikes to advanced technical climbs. Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram! Evans, which is the easiest hike of all if you drive up to 14,130′. I started hiking right after 6AM and didn’t return to my car until 8:30PM. Rated 4.6 /5 based on 10 customer reviews 4.6 7 miles 2850 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. If you descend the northeast slope (as shown in my video), you can make both options a lollipop loop/loop. If you plan on hiking from Summit Lake, be sure to understand there is a lot of rocky terrain that can be tough on your pup’s paws. Video Recap: Mt Evans via Sawtooth Ridge. I was originally planning on waiting until the summer to tackle this long 14er hike, but as we all know, plans change. Beautiful Mountain scenery, lots of hiking trails and wildlife. Mount Evans - featured on 14ers Maps 1 of 16 - is the 14er peak most prominently visible from Denver - and one of only a handful where one can drive (almost) to the summit. Commemorate your hike up Mount Evans with this custom souvenir certificate. All routes are technical in winter, and you may find a rope and rack beneficial on the upper mountain. Hey Mick, nice post! A sign marks the start to Mt. Also located in the Mount Evans wilderness, not too far from Idaho Springs, this is another great 14er in Colorado for beginners. 7 Teachable Moments From Our First 14er Hike on Mount Bierstadt. As always we’ll be camping out the night prior for those that don’t want to make the early AM drive. Thanks again, see ya in the mountains! Enjoy amazing views of wildflowers and other Front Range 14'ers. If you are hiking from Echo Lake, once you enter Mt Evans Wilderness, you can disperse camp as long as you follow the regulations for doing so. This rocky section of trail may require the use of your hands and has two prominent features. I would not recommend this option though as trail conditions down this section of the mountain are very poor. Hiking this peak can be done in various ways, from a half mile quick hike to a strenuous 17.2 mile very difficult trek. I recommend downloading it on your phone to bring with you, along with a backup printed out paper copy in case anything happens to your electronics. Towering over the Denver skyline, Mt Evans is a very popular mountain for hikers and climbers due to being the closest 14er to Denver. After enjoying a break at the summit of Mount Evans, your return is to either head back the way you came, or take a steeper and more direct route down the Northeast Face Route of Mt. However as far as 14er's go, this is a cake walk. This post will help you understand all of your options. Neighboring Mount Evans is out, even though the two peaks are connected by a ridge, because that is in the Arapaho National Forest. Evans 14er Meetup Hike. RELATED: 14er … Colorado's most popular summer fourteener is a difficult, avalanche prone mountain in the winter. If you plan on hiking Mt Evans from Mt Bierstadt via the Sawtooth, remember that you have to either go back to Mt Bierstadt from the Sawtooth or descend via Mt Evans Northwest slopes which are not fun. The Mount Evans hike takes you to 4348m, with the route going along the West Ridge via Mt. Here are some photos of us hiking Mount Evans, 14,258 feet above sea level. Dad, mom, and sister! 0.5 mile to reach a trail junction for the Chicago Lakes trail - 3. Be prepared with supplies. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Even though Mount Evans is one of the easier 14er, give yourself time to acclimate to the higher elevations and stay hydrated! That being said, no 14er is easy by any means. The road is closed in the winter. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Bierstadt in Mount Evans Wilderness Area. This route is long, requires Class 3 climbing skills and is not recommended for hikers who are new to the high peaks. Trail Route: My watch died about 2 miles from Echo Lake on the way down. While there are a few different routes to take, most people consider the Mount Evans and Mount Spalding Loop Trail to be the ideal spot. The 96 fourteeners in the United States are all west of the Mississippi River. Your day from Echo Lake is going to be completely different than someone who starts hiking from Summit Lake. Fourteeners are classified by difficulty but since we are talking about your first one I will only cover two classes. Colorado Trail Segment 11 & CW1 Hike Trail Guide, Canyonlands National Park Needles District Trail Guide, Protection from the sun: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses  – lots of exposed hiking, Optional: Wind/Rain Proof Clothing – can be helpful keeping you dry and warm. Mount Evans 14er Hike Sept 14, 2008 Pre Blog 14er, hiked 9/14/2008. If you are driving up to Summit Lake, continue to the fee station and drive another 9.5 miles to the small parking area at Summit Lake. Mt. The road is in bad repair.. full of deep crater pot holes and very very hilly.. BEWARE bikers there are NO GUARD RAILS to your left going up and your Right when you descend. Having said this, don’t underestimate Mt Evans, it’s a very difficult hike for the non-experienced hiker. The Mount Evans hike starts at Summit Lake, which is the highest lake in Colorado at 3912m above sea level. However, you could easily add Mt Bierstadt via the Sawtooth ridge. The earlier the better for a Mt Evans hike from Echo Lake (5-6AM or earlier). Mount Bierstadt is a great 14'er to get you started on. As the closest 14er to Denver, with a road directly to the top, Mount Evans is one of the most frequented mountains in Colorado. In the mountaineering parlance of the Western United States, a fourteener is a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 ft (4267 m). The summit is at 14,264′. This route has a great trail all the way to Summit Lake and is considered the standard way to climb Evans from a lower trailhead. Take Exit 240 in Idaho Springs towards Mt Evans via Mt Evans Rd. August 20th – 21st . Mount Evans is a 5.4 mile heavily trafficked trail that starts at Summit Lake and finishes at the top of a Colorado 14er. 14er Hikes Near Denver Mount Evans Mt Evans Mt Evans Wilderness. It was an incredibly long and exhausting day on the mountain with lots of loose trail conditions, snow and postholing. If you start your hike from Summit Lake, there really are not any good camping options along the way unless you hike back down to the Chicago Lakes which I do not recommend. Coming in at a rating of class 2, there tends to be some scrambling but nothing a well balanced person can't handle. Evans Trail and climbs up the East Ridge of Mount Spalding. It's not as challenging as Gore Valley, but the views were as impressive. As Colorado peaks over 14,000 feet go, this is one of the 'easier' due to its relatively short distance and less elevation gain. You can read more about the fees here. Continue driving up Mt Evans Rd for approximately 14.5km to Summit Lake parking area. Bierstadt is stunning and it's really cool to see the crowd of people on Bierstadt from another 14er. Matt Culpepper says: April 28, 2020 at 9:39 am Hey Mick, nice post! If hiking from Echo Lake, you have a lot more mileage, elevation gain and loose trail conditions to deal with. HOLD ON! From Denver, take I-70 west towards the mountains. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This looming mass has had its sides eaten away by erosion leaving deep cirques—or valleys—that hold crystal lakes and creeks. 9/4/2019 0 Comments Mount Evans can be seen for miles along the Rocky Mountain foothills and is one of the most accessible 14’ers from Denver. Pikes Peak Highway takes you to the top at 14,115′, so there’s no hike, but it’s 14k! We’ll print your information and frame your certificate before sending it to you UPS Ground. Your email address will not be published. Become a Contributor at 10Adventures and share your adventures! Post navigation. The Mount Evans hike starts at Summit Lake, which is the highest lake in Colorado at 3912 m above sea level. It was great to have them here! High quality Mt Evans gifts and merchandise. From Guanella Pass it is approximately a 3 miles hike, with a climb of 2,391 feet. Hiking Mount Evans 14er. 9/4/2019 0 Comments Mount Evans can be seen for miles along the Rocky Mountain foothills and is one of the most accessible 14’ers from Denver. Mount Evans 14er Hike Sept 14, 2008. Despite that ugly truth, Mount Evans is still the name of the one 14er towering over the mile high city. Dad, mom, and sister! Mt Evans 14er via Sawtooth Ridge Hike Information & Review. December, 2001: Bierstadt seen from 13er Square Top Mountain. *Links included in this description might be affiliate links. Of course, I hiked this entire day without seeing anyone else for 99% of the day so I think I enjoyed the views a lot more. Make it a Loop: Typically, Mt Evans is an out and back hike from both starting points. However as far as 14er's go, this is a cake walk. Check out some other great hikes around Denver: There is a charge of $15 per vehicle to drive up Mt Evans Rd. Fees: There is no fee to hike from Echo Lake, but there is a fee to hike from Summit Lake. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Chicago Lakes Hike, near Denver, takes you to Colorado’s high country! p. Info. If you are new to this area, please take the time to go here. After reaching the summit of Mount Spalding, make your way down to the Evans-Spalding saddle, following cairns south toward the West Ridge of Mount Evans. Mount Bierstadt sits at 14,060 feet, and the trail will take hikers on an almost 3,000-foot elevation gain. If you are parking at Echo Lake, you can park in the small lot at the north side of the lake or head closer to the lodge and park along the road itself. Luckily though, I only saw 4 other people the entire day, none of which headed up to Mt Evans. Start before 7am to have fewer crowds and to give yourself plenty of time to get off the mountain before afternoon thunderstorms. 14ers.com Route Descriptions for Evans and Bierstadt. The Mount Evans Wilderness Topographic Hiking Map is a waterproof, tear-resistant map covering all hiking trails in the Mount Evans Wilderness of the central Front Range of Colorado and surroundings with a 1:40,000 scale (1 in appox. Highway 5 is a popular road to the top of the mountain, which rates as the highest paved road in the United States. Fourteeners, sometimes abbreviated as 14er, are mountains that rise over 14,000 feet above sea level. The trail winds though the wilderness to beautiful…, The hike to St. Mary’s Glacier is a great family day out! Mount Evans 14er Hike Sept 14, 2008 Pre Blog 14er, hiked 9/14/2008. RELATED: 14er … Season: Year Round if hiking from Echo Lake – Expect snow November to June. We’ll be tackling Mt. Both spots do have non-plumbing bathrooms that are open seasonally. The 96 fourteeners in the United States are all west of the Mississippi River. Spaulding and the Summit of Evans is incredibly fun. Later, in the early 1900s, Denver found itself competing with mountain recreation around Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak area. September, 2002: Evans seen from the north end of Summit Lake. - See 2,534 traveler reviews, 1,789 candid photos, and great deals for Denver, CO, at Tripadvisor. Mount Evans: "Easy" 14er hike, Mountain Goat Sighting! Here are some photos of us hiking Mount Evans, 14,258 feet above sea level. During the summer, the summit is full of tourists who drive all the way to the summit. From the Summit Lake parking lot, follow the trail north, past a historic rock building, to an overlook of Chicago Lakes. Evans. Elevation is over 14,000 feet.. There's an option here to take The Sawtooth hike to then ascend Mount Evans, making this a two-for-one fourteener experience for those who might want it. This is a great all day hike in which you will climb two 14ers, Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans. and how far is echo lodge from the base of summit lake trailhead? Park near the Echo Lake lodge and locate a trail which starts on the west side of the lodge parking area - 1.Follow the trail west through the forest for approx. You can check out the distances from each starting point in the blog post but its about 6 miles from Echo to Summit Lake TH. Camping: Camping for Mt Evans can be tricky. A map is critically important to keep with you. Mount Bierstadt, Colorado’s friendliest Fourteener, is now less demanding than ever. I haven’t really considered doing Evans in April but the solitude factor before the road opens is an interesting idea. If hiking from summit Lake, May – October depending on road closure. There are a number of ways to hike Mt Evans, including starting from Echo Lake, Summit Lake and neighboring Mt Bierstadt. The hike itself from Echo Lake is nowhere near as popular as the Summit Lake approach, but is your only option for 2020 since the road is closed. We made sure we packed a good amount of food, drink, and other supplies in two backpacks for the hike. Courtesy of Colorado Love … Getting Here:  From Idaho Springs, take CO-103 North for 12.7 miles until you reach Echo Lake on your right. thanks! In the mountaineering parlance of the Western United States, a fourteener is a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 ft (4267 m). As with most of the Colorado '14ers', this is a very popular destination for the 14er peak-baggers. Hiking Mount Evans 14er. 4 Comments Add yours. It is time for the third installment of our Summer 14er Meetup Series! If you are starting the hike from here, you can park anywhere along the lake, but your goal is to get to the northwest side of the lake where the Chicago Lakes trail starts. This topographical map of the Mt Evans route is a good thing to keep with you on your hike. Next Post Chasm Lake RMNP Hike Information & Review. There are a variety of routes to the summit of varying difficulty, but expect this to be one of the busiest 14ers in Colorado in the Summer due to the ease of access and proximity to Denver and the Front Range cities. Having shoes with good traction or even a pair of Microspikes adds very little weight to your bag, but can significantly hike when crossing snow fields. Mt Evans via Sawtooth Ridge Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars) Distance: 11.76 miles RT . Fill in your name as you want it on the certificate along with the date of your hike, the time and traveling companions. Located in the Mount Evans Wilderness area and two miles from Mount Evans. Be aware of wind storms on Longs. It is very very steep.. the turn arounds are extremely NARROW.. be prepared to squeeze over. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. Chasm Lake RMNP Hike Information & Review. Mt Evans from Summit Lake is one of the most popular and easiest 14ers in Colorado to attempt. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. You can enter both Echo Lake and Summit Lake into your favorite navigational device. Coming in at a rating of class 2, there tends to be some scrambling but nothing a well balanced person can't handle. Summit Lake is nestled into a glacial cirque between the north face of Mount Evans and the east face of Mount Spalding. The last visit was a year ago and it was a wonderful place. Colorado has the most (53) of any single state; Alaska is second with 29. The once-fearsome (or at least highly annoying) willow swamps at its base have been tamed with boardwalks, and a newly rebuilt road to 11,669-foot Guanella Pass makes it a snap to drive to the trailhead, an hour from Denver. Expect crowded conditions and limited parking during the high traffic warm seasons. You don't want to miss this one. The trail gets quite exposed at times, make no mistake you are climbing a 14er on this hike, take all the same precautions that you would on any other 14er. Conclusion Mount Sherman summit. This trail goes by Frozen Lake. The first is a notch in the ridge which you must pass and the second is a false summit known as “West Evans”. Enter the Mount Evans Wilderness and pay an entrance fee at the ranger station. The melting glaciers look incredible. Quandary Peak. Pre Blog 14er, hiked 9/14/2008. Mount Evans. Trail Summary: Mt Evans is the 2nd highest peak in the Front Range of Colorado, but one of the most popular mountains due to its highway which visitors can take to the summit of the 14,000ft mountain. In either case though, you can’t really go wrong with spots to take a photo on this hike. In addition, even if you are hiking either route in July, expect to deal with some lingering snow from the winter before. 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