Denver, CO: Mount Evans via Squaw Pass Road

Denver, CO: Mount Evans via Squaw Pass Road

Pedal up the highest paved road in North America (and gain 6,000 feet of elevation) on this 64.3-mile ride to the 14,000-foot summit of Mount Evans.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	30 Aug 2009 9:00:00 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	64.34 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 8836 ft Total Loss: 8836 ft Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty:	9 / 10
Tags:	Colorado Fourteeners, Denver, Idaho Springs, Colorado, Front Range
Rating:	2 rating(s) Rate it

This 32.1-mile climb in Colorado's Front Range starts roughly 30 miles west of downtown Denver in Bergen Park and ends on the 14,000-foot summit of Mount Evans. From the parking area at the intersection of Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road, pedal west on Squaw Pass Road. The relatively quiet, two-lane road climbs steadily past intermittent meadows and forested hillsides. After 8.6 miles, the road runs across Squaw Pass and continues to climb another 6.2 miles to Warrior Mountain.

From Warrior Mountain, it's a quick 2.9-mile descent to Echo Lake Park and the Mount Evans Road—the highest paved road in North America. Turn left onto Mount Evans Road and begin the 14.3-mile climb to the stark summit of Mount Evans. Just before mile-marker 3, the road passes Mount Goliath Natural Area, home to one of the oldest known bristlecone pines in Colorado, then heads above treeline. Roughly 6 miles later, the route descends to Summit Lake, a high-alpine lake tucked at the foot of Mount Evans and Mount Spalding.

Next, climb out of the lake basin and prepare for the onslaught of switchbacks after mile-marker 10 that scale Mount Evans' southeast slopes. (Watch out for traffic on the hairpin turns.) At the top of the climb, park your bike and take in the scene from 14,130 feet. If the weather is clear, hike up the short trail to the official summit. When you're ready, descend back to Echo Lake, then take Squaw Pass Road back to Bergen Park.

NOTE: There's a $3 entrance fee to ride the Mount Evans Road.

MORE INFO: Mount Evans Recreation Area

ROAD CONDITIONS: Colorado Department of Transportation

-Mapped by Kim Phillips, Matt Vellone, and Jake Lubinski

TO TRAILHEAD: The ride starts from the parking lots at the intersection of Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road in Bergen Park, CO.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Squaw Pass to Mount Evans

Dist: 64.34 mi	Points: 1511	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Parking area in Bergen Park	Then go 0.09 mi
0.09 mi	Straight	Squaw Pass Rd	Then go 17.74 mi
17.83 mi	Turn Left	Mount Evans Rd/CO 5	Then go 14.34 mi
32.17 mi	U-Turn	Mount Evans Rd/CO 5	Then go 14.34 mi
46.50 mi	Turn Right	Squaw Pass Rd	Then go 17.74 mi
64.25 mi	Straight	Cross Evergreen Pkwy	Then go 0.09 mi
64.34 mi	Stop	Parking area in Bergen Park

Points of Interest

EVN001

Location: 39.685079°, -105.364637°
Bergen Park: Park in the lots at the intersection of Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road. Ride west on Squaw Pass Road. Note: Bring warm clothes and gloves for the top of Mount Evans. Do not attempt to ride to the summit if the weather is stormy.

EVN002

Location: 39.685508°, -105.376289°
Look across the meadow to the south for views of an old cabin.

EVN003

Location: 39.686112°, -105.382014°
Look for elk in the expansive meadow to the south.

EVN004

Location: 39.673874°, -105.444599°
Pass a parking pull-out on the right at the sweeping horseshoe turn. The road continues to climb steadily.

Meadow on Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.673899°, -105.444492°
© Kim Phillips

Riding up Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.675868°, -105.450365°
© Kim Phillips

Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.676172°, -105.450842°
© Kim Phillips

Views along Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.681042°, -105.472655°
© Kim Phillips

EVN005

Location: 39.680216°, -105.473664°
Near mile 8.7, the road passes Little Bear Road on the right, Clements Road on the left, and crosses 9,790-foot Squaw Pass.

Steep Grades, Sharp Curves Ahead

Location: 39.679803°, -105.475225°
© Kim Phillips

Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.681677°, -105.478942°
© Kim Phillips

Views to the North

Location: 39.687985°, -105.483330°
© Kim Phillips

EVN006

Location: 39.688741°, -105.487665°
A large pull-out is located on the right-hand side of the road. Stop here to grab a snack or catch your breath.

Parking Pull-Out

Location: 39.688927°, -105.488201°
© Kim Phillips

Climbing up Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.689104°, -105.488668°
© Kim Phillips

Nearing Echo Mountain Ski Area

Location: 39.691403°, -105.507363°
© Kim Phillips

Echo Mountain Ski Area

Location: 39.684807°, -105.512642°
© Kim Phillips

Bend in Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.684303°, -105.525141°
© Kim Phillips

EVN007

Location: 39.676814°, -105.557542°
You'll reach the top of the Squaw Pass Road climb at mile 14.9. Begin the 2.9-mile descent to Echo Lake Park and Mount Evans Road.

View from Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.676748°, -105.557880°
© Kim Phillips

Squaw Pass Road

Location: 39.676648°, -105.558147°
© Kim Phillips

EVN008

Location: 39.672949°, -105.565288°
Pass a picnic area on Juniper Pass.

EVN009

Location: 39.670067°, -105.572358°
Pass a second picnic area on the left-hand side of the road (outhouses available here).

Descent to Echo Lake Park

Location: 39.667061°, -105.582465°
© Kim Phillips

EVN010

Location: 39.656654°, -105.596133°
Turn left onto Mount Evans Road at mile 17.8 to start the 14.3-mile climb to Mount Evans. Note: Cyclists can grab a cup of coffee, lunch, or dessert at the Echo Lake Lodge dining area.

Mount Evans Road

Location: 39.656658°, -105.596031°
© Kim Phillips

Echo Lake

Location: 39.656456°, -105.596992°
© Kim Phillips

Echo Lake Lodge

Location: 39.656382°, -105.596981°
© Kim Phillips

EVN011

Location: 39.655511°, -105.595565°
Stop at the fee station and pay $3 to ride Mount Evans Road. Caution: The road to Mount Evans can be very busy. Pay attention to traffic on this narrow, two-lane road.

Mount Evans Road

Location: 39.655409°, -105.595421°
© Kim Phillips

Mount Evans Road

Location: 39.652499°, -105.604973°
© Kim Phillips

Steep Climb Ahead

Location: 39.648526°, -105.588527°
© Kim Phillips

EVN012

Location: 39.643098°, -105.592797°
Pass a large parking area for 160-acre Mount Goliath Natural Area, home to one of the oldest known bristlecone pines in Colorado (more than 1,500 years old). Stop here for restrooms or for a quick break.

Mount Goliath Natural Area

Switchback at Mount Goliath Natural Area

Mount Evans Road

Views from Mount Evans Road

Mount Evans Road

EVN013

Location: 39.598224°, -105.640014°
Turn into the Summit Lake parking area to use the restrooms or to take a side trip to Summit Lake, a high-alpine lake at the foot of Mount Evans and Mount Spalding.

Summit Lake

Summit Lake Parking Area

EVN014

Location: 39.583747°, -105.627215°
Prepare for the onslaught of switchbacks that scale Mount Evans' southeast slopes. Watch out for traffic on the hairpin turns.

Mount Evans Road

View of Mount Evans Summit

EVN015

Location: 39.587668°, -105.642469°
Mount Evans: The road ends at a parking area next to a set of stone buildings. If the weather is clear, park your bike and hike up the short trail to the official summit. You may spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Follow the same route back to Bergen Park.