Mount Evans

Mount Evans - Colorado is the road into the sky.  From Golden Colorado (our starting point) to the top of Mount Evans we will ascend 8,640 feet and travel through four distinct "life zones".  It is not uncommon to leave for our trip in 90 degree weather and 90 minutes later we will be shivering as we drag our tripods around in a 40 degree chill at the top.  I've had it snow on me in July.

The fun starts long before reaching CO5 the road which summits Mt Evans.  From I 70 you can take CO 103 for approx eleven miles until you reach Echo Lake.  This road has plenty of places you will want to pull off and get dramatic mountain vistas for your photography collection.  However my personal favorite is the reach Echo Lake from CO 103 leaving from EverGreen.  This road is twists and curves it's way through some amazing views, often passing meadows frequented by our Elk population. 

Once you reach Echo Lake from either direction you will want to hop out and snap some photos at this must see location.  The water is crysal clear and with a lovley backdrop of pine forest and snow capped mountains (even in the summer) you will have a classic Colorado scenery shot before the day begins.

Once you leave Echo Lake, you will start up CO 5 for approximately 14 miles.  The road is curvy and steep at times.  This often begs the question "why do I keep seeing bicyclists riding up the road?"   I really don't know.  It's long, steep and very high altitude.  I don't know what they are thinking,, but nevertheless, there they are.  If you sit by the side of the road with a great background you can get some pretty cool photographs of the bikers doing their thing.

Lakes and Flowers

Along the way, you will find several opportunities to photograph alpine lakes.  During June these lakes will be surrounded with the spring flowers that are just getting rolling (remember spring comes late at 12,000 feet).  Here you'll want to break out your Macro lens and get down on your knees.  The flowers are amazingly beautiful. 

About 2/3 of the way up you'll find a lake (Summit Lake) with a parking lot on your right.  Summit Lake (12,830 feet) is an excellent example of a high alpine lake. It lies in a cirque formed by Mount Evans and Mount Spalding with rocky ridges and cliffs rising from the lake to the summits over 1,000 feet above. It is the most accessible lake above timberline as the Summit Lake parking area is just a few hundred feet from the lake. The area to the east of the lake is Summit Lake Flats and is the only known area of permafrost located in the United States outside of Alaska.

Mt. Evans Summit

At the Summit of Mount Evans you will be graced with a view you can't find many places on the planet.  Looking North you can see all the way to Rocky Mountain National Park (about 50 miles away).  To the East you will see Denver (looking very small and tiny) and the plains beyond.  So get ready to take some panorama photos here.   It's the only way to get such a vast view into a single photo (well, a good fisheye can too).  You will also want to pack along your telephoto lens as the Mt Evans summit is usually teaming with Mountain Goats and BigHorn Sheep.  I've never gone to the summit and not seen them.

Notes:

• There are entrace fees to the Mount Evans park ($10 for 1-12 people per vehicle)
• Opening and closing dates vary each year (approx late May to mid Sept).
• The road accessing the summit of Mount Evans is the highest paved road in North America
• This is a great option for someone who wants to see some real mountain views and wildlife, but maybe can't do much physical activity.  Actual hiking can be limited to a few hundred yards if desired (or non at all if you want to miss a few items).