Mount Evans

"You've made it to the top! Well...almost. You have a do a quick little hike to actually stand on the tippy top, and you won't be sorry when you are standing amongst the clouds and taking in the breathtaking 360 degree views. Also be sure to explore the remains of a restaurant that used to operate here, and admire the mountain goats from a safe distance, jump on the trail. Difficulty Rating: Easy (But you're at such high elevation, it might not feel that easy! Take your time.) Popularity Rating: High, but mitigated by the timed entry system Shadiness Factor: None -Trailhead: Mt. Evans Summit Trailhead -Stats: 0.6 mi RT, 98 ft. elevation gain -Getting there: Easy peasy! -Parking: Designated parking lot at the summit -Restrooms at the trailhead: Pit latrines -Puppers: Puppers are welcome, but nokw your dog's reactivity level to wildlife, and act accordingly. We find the goats to be MUCH less worried about humans or pups than the sheep, but it can stress your dog out if you let them get too close. -Best time to visit: Summer (check the park in advance to make sure it's open, and purchase timed entry for your visit) -Good to know: You'll see goats. They're ADORABLE. But keep your distance, and remember they're wild animals who will ram you if they feel like it. We see tourists get WAY too close to the goats up here, and it's a big no-no. Respect their space and they'll respect yours. -Good to know: It can be FREEZING and windy up here, even in the height of summer. Have some layers available, and a beanie! You'll be glad you did. "

"You can get here just by driving or by hiking, it's your choice. It's one of the most beautiful things that I've done. You can drive to the top, and then there's about a quarter-mile hike to the actual top of the mountain. People do call this a hike because of the last quarter mile. It's a shorter one but the views are out of this world. It's great for sunrise or sunset. You'll be able to see a bunch of peaks from the lookout. At the top, you'll find the Mount Evans Shelter. It's not much of a shelter anymore, but it used to be. There are also some bathrooms. and this area is ADA accessible. The highest observatory in North America is on the other side of it. I would call this an easier hike, but it is up at 14,000ft, so if you have trouble with elevation, it might not be the easiest. The area around the top near the shelter is paved, and ADA accessible. There is a timed reservation system for visiting Mount Evans. You can book your reservation on Recreation.gov (link provided). The road is supposed to open May 27, 2022 weather permitting, so check ahead of time to book your reservation. 75% of the reservations are available 30 days before the date of visit. The other 25% is open 2 days before the visit. As long as the reservation system is happening, parking isn't an issue. It's likely that you will see mountain goats or bighorn sheep here. They're constantly up there because they like the natural salt deposit in our pee, so they like being near the bathrooms."

"A majestic peak in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. With a summit elevation of 14,130 feet, it's one of the 54 "fourteeners" in the state, meaning it rises above 14,000 feet, and is the highest paved road in North America"