Travel: Mount Blue Sky aka Mount Evans Day Trip

I love high altitude! And Mount Evans now known as Mount Blue Sky to date is my favorite high mountain destination. I’ve traveled to the summit a few times and each time I have found that drive to be more than enjoyable for many reasons. First of all it’s close…as long as close is a 16 hour drive to the base from your house. Mount Evans provides the beauty of nature, fishing, hiking and wildlife.

For many the need to get there before sunrise is of the utmost importance. You can watch the sunrise at 14,130 feet, but even sleeping in and arriving mid-morning can be splendid timing. That’s what we did a few times and we were not disappointed! Do keep in mind that it’s not unusual to get passing day time rain and storms on this mountain. As a general rule the rains are in the afternoon. It’s colder up there. Bring a jacket and good footwear.

Traveling from Denver it’s about 60 miles. From Idaho Springs, it’s an easy drive.

There are fees involved. Make sure you know what the scoop is.

The mountain road closes for winter depending on the conditions. Typically closed from mid-October thru some time in May.

The drive to the top can take a few hours if you stop to fish, gaze or hike or you can get to the top first and work your way back down to enjoy the hiking, fishing and viewing.

As a family of sightseers, hikers and anglers we couldn’t resist stopping at numerous turn outs and likely fishing spots on the way up to the summit. Of course we mixed in a hike.

Each time on the way up we caught fish, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Fishing was decent. The spots were awesome. The views just magnificent. Sight fishing the numerous lakes produced 1 big rainbow, over 20 inches and many 15-17 inch cutthroat trout. You can fish almost any lake up to the summit and have a blast with spinning or fly gear.

There’s a great place for a family hike on the way to the summit at Summit Lake Park. The place is busy but you can take a leisurely hike with children to stretch the legs and this spot has facilities.

You can take forever to get to the top by stopping at the many turn outs on the road up. Stop at some. But the summit offers the best wildlife in my humble opinion. Each time I have visited the summit mountain goats, pika, ptarmigan, American pipit and marmots were observed. There’s even a shot at bighorn sheep. There are facilities at the top.

Mount Blue Sky is close to Denver, Expect a crowd. Although if you go early the crowds are less. At this point it’s probably best to make a reservation for your visit.

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