The Mt. Evan's massif looms west of Denver, connected to the Continental Divide by the Guanella Pass ridge. This magnificent Wilderness is accessed by numerous trails and jeep roads; for less adventurous visitors, a paved toll road (Colorado 5, the highest in the U.S.) begins at Echo Lake (elevation 10,600 feet) and winds to a parking area just below the summit of Mt. Evans. This peak, the highest along Colorado's Front Range and the 13th highest in the State, tops out at 14,264 feet. Echo Lake is best reached by taking Exit 240 from I-70 (at Idaho Springs) and heading southward and upward along Colorado 103. If possible, plan your visit for a weekday and arrive in early morning to avoid the frequent afternoon thunderstorms; Colorado 5 is generally open from June through early September.
On your way up Colorado 5, stop at the Mt. Goliath Bristlecone Pine Area, which sits at timberline. In addition to exploring some of the oldest living plants on Earth, you will have a good chance to see mountain bluebirds, Wilson's warblers, white-crowned sparrows, pine grosbeaks, Cassin's finches and Clark's nutcrackers in this area. Least chipmunks, golden-mantled ground squirrels and an occasional long-tailed weasel may also be spotted here.
Continuing up the winding roadway, watch for white-tailed ptarmigan, horned larks, yellow-bellied marmots, bighorn sheep and mountain goats on the rocky tundra; mule deer and elk also graze on the alpine grasslands, especially at dawn and dusk. A wide variety of alpine wildflowers adorn the tundra from June through August.
At Summit Lake, elevation 12,830 feet, you will likely encounter American pipits and brown-capped rosy finches. Pikas call from the rugged slope above the lake and common ravens soar along the cliffs. Views across the eastern Colorado plains are spectacular and those who venture up to the summit are treated to a breathtaking panorama of mountains, plains and parklands.
