Hike to Summit of Mt. Evans from Summit Lake

Besides being the most prominently visible mountain from Denver, Mount Evans is also famous for having the highest paved road in North America, which reaches within 150’ of the summit. To an outdoor adventurer, driving to the top of a 14er and walking a few steps definitely doesn’t count as summiting the mountain! If you’re determined to hike to the summit to bag this peak, the standard route is the Mount Evans Trail-West Ridge via Mt. Spalding from Summit Lake. This 3-mile trail is a fun Class 2 climb with views of lakes, peaks, and wildlife if you’re lucky!

This trail also connects with the Chicago Lakes Trail #52, so backpackers can hike to the summit from Echo Lake at the base of the mountain using these trails. For detailed information about the West Ridge route, please refer to these excellent resources:USDA Forest Service,14ers.com

The hike begins with a steep-ish climb with a little fancy ledge work up the east ridge of Mt. Spalding. You’ll get some good views of Chicago Lakes in the valley below as you climb. Before long, views of fellow 14ers Grays Peak and Torreys Peak will come into view to the west. Once you summit Mt. Spalding, you can look 1000 feet down to Summit Lake, where you started.

After summiting Mt. Spalding, you’ll dip into a saddle, the easy part of this hike. This is a great place to take stock of all the mountains to the west and the foothills to the east. You can also see The Sawtooth and Mt. Bierstadt by now. Mt. Bierstadt is a very popular hike, and you might be glad you’re in relative solitude on Mt. Evans compared to the conga line going up Bierstadt!

(The Sawtooth is a Class 3 ridge that connects the two 14ers. It’s possible to knock out both mountains in one day via this route; however, The Sawtooth is a dangerous passage and should only be attempted by experienced climbers with the proper equipment. Do thorough research on this route before attempting!)

Curving back east, the trail begins to climb once again and becomes a Class 2 scramble. To avoid getting too far off track, look for the cairns placed along the sometimes invisible trail. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots and pikas! Approaching the east face of Mount Evans, the trail joins with the paved road. It’s about another ¼ mile to the summit; this section is well traveled by all the people who drove up to this point. At the parking area, there are bathrooms, the University of Denver Observatory, and the historic Crest House is worth exploring.

From the summit, you can see all the other 14er mountains of the Front Range: Longs Peak to the north, Pikes Peak to the south, and Mt. Bierstadt, Grays Peak and Torreys Peak to the west.

To return, you can go back on the West Ridge route, or you can walk the 5 miles down the paved road to Summit Lake.

Tips:* Mount Evans is cold! Plan to wear layered clothing. Temperatures can be as much as 40 degrees colder than Denver at the summit. It is also usually windy. Pack a hat to protect your ears from the frigid winds—even in summer.* Gloves are not optional! Besides the cool temps, this is definitely a hands-on hike. You’ll be using your hands for climbing at times, and the rock is rough. Plus, slipping on loose soil isn’t unusual, and gloves will protect your hands in a fall.* Give yourself 15-20 minutes at Summit Lake to acclimate to the altitude. Even very fit people can find themselves short of breath or even dizzy at first. Giving yourself a chance to get used to the thin air will help keep you from struggling the first while.* There is a $5 parking fee at Summit Lake. There is a self-pay stand near the bathrooms. They accept cash or checks.* This hike is not dog-friendly or child-friendly.* Check the National Weather Service for current weather conditions and forecast on Mount Evans. Weather Conditions