Evans Wilderness, CO Distance: 6.5 miles Traveled: Traveled: Chicago Lakes Trail (6,234′) “Hushed now is the life that so late was beating warmly. Sitting on the pass and basking in the warm sun I was as content as any time I've been in my life. Some quiet, unstructured time. Park a car on SH 103 at the road to Idaho Springs Reservoir. Round-Trip Length: 11.57 miles Start Elevation: 10,624’ High Point: 11,826’ Elevation Change: 1,999’ Skill Level: Moderate-Strenuous Trailhead Location: The Chicago Lakes Trail begins at Echo Lake (west side), 13.25 miles south of I-70 on HWY 103. Evans wilderness. She said "I thought you knew where you were going?" Hikers must take Guanella Pass Road to reach this trailhead. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. Posts about Mt. 7 Difficult Trails. It is named for Rosalie Bierstadt, wife of the famous painter of Western landscapes, Alfred Bierstadt. … Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted on the Beartrack Lakes Trail and within the Mt Evans Wilderness. Founded in November 2005, FOMELC provides cooperative stewardship support to the United States Forest Service. Summit Lake sits in a cirque beside the paved road leading to the top of Evans. Summit Lake is nestled into a glacial cirque between the north face of Mount Evans and the east face of Mount Spalding. Wildlife is also abundant in the Mount Evans Wilderness. So, why is there a road in the Mount Evans Wilderness? The woman shooed the guy away and she sad "I trust the guy with the map more than you!" These trails are accessible from other Forest Service trails in the area. Evans, Mt. The access from the Mount Evans State Wildlife Area is closed to vehicular traffic Labor Day through June 15. You work really hard and then get to the top and find yourself surrounded by a crowd of tourists that drove to the top. Posted onJune 13, 2009June 18, 2017AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment. Evans and 14,060' Mt. Mount Evans is located in Front Range of Colorado, within the Mount Evans Wilderness. The Mount Evans Wilderness Topographic Hiking Map is a waterproof, tear-resistant map covering all hiking trails in the Mount Evans Wilderness of the central Front Range of Colorado and surroundings with a 1:40,000 scale (1 in appox. From an unnamed lake at timberline, the trail continues through the willows, then westerly across the tundra to the lake. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans Wilderness written by linhartb. We offer volunteer opportunities for all ages, physical abilities, interests and schedules. 0.6 mi). Once past the burn line and to the top of the climb, the trail gently descended to the edge of the wilderness boundary and in a lush pine forest. No worries…the gift shop, with its cafe', was open! Chicago Lakes Hike Near Mt. Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques, Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques, The Frugal Backpacker - The $300 Gear Challenge, A Quick and Dirty Guide to The Pacific Crest Trail, A Quick and Dirty Guide to the Appalachian Trail. You will enjoy stunning vistas before you ever leave the car. Evans. Camp at least 100' away from any lake, stream, trail or road. This past weekend, I joined my good friends Wendy and d-low for a fairly easy backpacking trip in the Mt. The South Chicago Creek trail provides for a pleasant escape into the Mount Evans Wilderness. Visitors can find bighorn sheep, elk, and mountain goats roaming around the mountainsides. Evans: 46: Captain Mountain: 9.0: Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Harris Park: 57: Resthouse Meadows: 6.5: Idaho Springs, Harris Park: 82 You can access 18 super-dated pages of trail maps within Mount Evans Wilderness from the forest department website or visit the Mount Evans Wilderness AllTrails page to get more info on hiking and camping within the area. There really is no destination for this hike, about 2.5 miles in the trail disperses and you must choose your own adventure. Mt. Chicago Lakes is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Evans Wilderness that has two magnificent lakes with stellar views towards the foothills and of Mount Evans. Closures include Echo Lake and Summit Lake at Mount Evans, Hicks Mountain, Pence Mountain, Mount Judge, Snyder Mountain, Forsberg Park … Please read the Privacy Policy for additional details. The trail starts off steep, dropping into a … Hiked to Chicago Lakes from Echo Lake on May 14th, 2020. It is located 40 miles west of Denver - south of I-70 and north of Highway 285. Receive an email notification of new posts direct to your inbox once a week. She overheard the dude ask where the mountain was as she was walking up. It should be noted, however, that the wilderness experiences heavy … Wilderness (Backpacking) Reservations. What a wonderful way to kill time while waiting for my friends. There are 54 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado and Mount Evans is one of them. Together, we continued to enjoy the view, the warm sun, the simple feeling of basking in the mountains surrounding us. One of my favorite things about hiking the Mount Evans Wilderness is getting there: the drive from Evergreen to Echo Lake along Hwy. 228 Kilometers. The Rosalie Trail follows Deer Creek up to the saddle between Rosalie and Logan and ends at Guanella Pass. The Mount Evans hike starts at Summit Lake, which is the highest lake in Colorado at 3912m above sea level. It’s good for all of the common recreational activities found in wilderness areas. Beautiful hike through a lush willow covered valley with a small stream crossing (was able to stay dry by rock hopping across). from there the trail climbs more steeply into the upper part of the valley. She was dressed in the dorky, yet functional, outfit of long johns and shorts, seemed to walk like she belonged in the mountains and obviously felt comfortable in her surroundings. The Mt. It is located 40 miles west of Denver - south of I-70 and north of Highway 285. Chicago Lakes in Mount Evans Wilderness. As the Shakers said ". Climbing the attractive Blue Lakes Path within the Mt Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado. If you decide to backcountry camp along the Chicago Lakes Trail or beyond, get adequately prepared ahead of time. 16 Intermediate Trails. Mount Evans is located in Front Range of Colorado, within the Mount Evans Wilderness. Filmed in early August of 2020. Wendy, d-low and I just raised our eyebrows and gave a knowing look to each other. The evening ended with a beer and some family style Mexican food. of Trail. views hiking wildlife dogs-leash wild-flowers forest nature-trips lake birding river backpacking camping snowshoeing walking fishing Just as I stashed my gear, the heavens opened up. Spanning 73,000 acres of wilderness south of Georgetown, Colorado, this highly detailed hiking map of Mount Evans Wilderness takes you on a journey among craggy peaks, pristine lakes and dense woods. The air about her was much more competent. 28. Route Description for Mount Evans. The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. Originally, I wanted to reach the summit of nearby 13er Rosalie Peak but ended up taking the Rosalie Trail further out into the wilderness instead. .... Currently the road to the Mount Evans summit is closed; the only way to reach it is by […] It’s good for all of the common recreational activities found in wilderness areas. (The road is not included within the wilderness boundary.) The trailhead is just past or right before the campground as is the TH for Abyss lake. The man was clad in a balaclava and sun glasses and looked like he was ready to join the swat team. Group size is limited to 15 individuals. We had it all to ourselves. We pointed to the very obvious peak above us. The trail follows an old logging road about 4 miles to an intersection with the Rosalie trail. The lake is nestled in a high glacial cirque between Mt. Mt. I walked back to my truck, grabbed a chair always stashed in there and read in the warm sun. Wilderness Information Centers will remain closed to the public for the summer of 2020. Evans. You’ll pass three more mountain lakes as you punch up into the high country of … Both are great climbs for daring climbers and mountaineers. The Guanella Pass road in Grant, Colorado hugs the Wilderness on it’s Western border, giving a portal to another popular 14,000 foot mountain, Mount Bierstadt. 142 Miles. The Abyss Lake Trail is a popular hiking trail that ends at Abyss Lake. Evans Want to take in some of Colorado’s breathtaking scenery and put some miles under your hiking boots? On this June day, the trailhead just up the road for this peak was crowded. Deer and elk inhabit the sub-alpine areas. Evans, Harris Park: 636: Tanglewood: 4.0: Harris Park (distance to saddle E of Rosalie … Evans and 14,060' Mt. Some people use this trail to access Grey Wolf Mountain as the trail basically leads to the base of Grey Wolf. When viewed from Denver, it's the rounded summit on the left end of the Evans Massif. The most challenging part of this hike is the altitude and last 50 vertical feet to the summit on rocky terrain. Rosalie Peak, the 207th highest peak in Colorado, is the southernmost thirteener in the Mount Evans Wilderness. So reserve a long weekend to climb both in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and decide for yourself. He also neglected to remove the balaclava from his mouth as he was talking. It should be noted, however, that the wilderness experiences heav… Both are great climbs for daring climbers and mountaineers. The trail is still open, but you must factor in the extra distance along the road. The temporarily closed highway, the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, is the only road that bisects the 74,400 acre Mount Evans Wilderness Area, designated as federal wilderness in 1980. There is no additional fee for purchasing items through these links. Mount Evans Wilderness Hiking. Meadows attract wildlife such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and more. Summit Lake is nestled into a glacial cirque between the north face of Mount Evans and the east face of Mount Spalding. She also mentioned something along the lines of how she thought the guy had the map. Originally, Mount Evans was named Mount Rosalie, but when the Colorado legislature renamed that summit for the second territori… One and a half hours later, the happy couple showed up. Talus vs. Scree - What is the difference? Bierstadt and Mt. Most of the birds have gone down below the snow-line, the plants sleep, and all the fly-wings are folded. … We offer volunteer opportunities for all ages, physical abilities, interests and schedules. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted on the Beartrack Lakes Trail and within the Mt Evans Wilderness. The most challenging part of this hike is the altitude and last 50 … The Mount Evans Wilderness Topographic Hiking Map is a waterproof, tear-resistant map covering all hiking trails in the Mount Evans Wilderness of the central Front Range of Colorado and surroundings with a 1:40,000 scale (1 in appox. The weather started turning again just as I reached my truck. Logan: 602: Abyss Lake: 8.0: Mt. Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. After hiking in the open meadow for a bit, we quickly entered a trail lined with aspens. Chicago Lakes is a popular hiking trail in the Mount Evans Wilderness that has two magnificent lakes with stellar views towards the foothills and of Mount Evans. Long story short, I offered to show them the route on the map. Group size is limited to 15 individuals. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Bierstadt (14,060 feet). From the lake, it was a steep climb through burnt out terrain. The Friends of Mount Evans & Lost Creek Wilderness (FOMELC) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The closure is at the intersection with Naylor Lake Road. From I-70, exit #240 and head south on HWY 103 (toward Mt Evans) for 13 miles to Echo Lake. WHOSE LAND ARE WE HIKING ON? Albeit small, the wilderness area receives significant visitor numbers due to the Mt. The trailhead is just past or right before the campground as is the TH for Abyss lake. The following morning, I took off by myself and powered up to the officially unnamed pass below the impressive looking Rosalie Mountain. The Mount Evans Ridge trail starts at Summit Lake and goes to the summit. Park another at Summit Lake and do a downhill hike, taking time to catch a few cutts and stay overnight. We continued down the north facing side of the pass with its attendant snow. #moab, Keeping it very local this weekend. On a warm and sunny day in late August, I set out for another hike into the Mount Evans Wilderness. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. The terrain is easy to navigate and seasoned hikers won’t fine this to be challenging. The twilight filtered through our camp and made for a soft, pink sky. This wilderness contains two popular fourteneers - Mt. Some people use this trail to access Grey Wolf Mountain as the trail basically leads to the base of Grey Wolf. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Mount Evans Wilderness was designated by the United States Congress in 1980 and now spans 74,401 acres. Available at REI, 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Evans auto road, pile into another car and drive over Guanella Pass to start the trip. Closures include Echo Lake and Summit Lake at Mount Evans, Hicks Mountain, Pence Mountain, Mount Judge, Snyder Mountain, Forsberg Park and the Beaver Brook Trail at … The sun slowly set, the creek babbled on and a slight wind flowed through the trees. Rosalie Peak, the 207th highest peak in Colorado, is the southernmost thirteener in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Use is moderate to heavy for the first 5 miles. This wilderness contains two popular fourteneers - Mt. showed up. #5 - Mount Evans West Ridge via Chicago Creek. 2 Recommended Routes. The Chicago Lakes hike begins at Echo Lake. Route. Mt. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. National Parks are allowed to set their own rules regarding roads and access, unlike wilderness areas. There are 21 hard trails in Mount Evans Wilderness ranging from 2.3 to 17.8 miles and from 8,904 to 14,255 feet above sea level. Why it Made the List: … So reserve a long weekend to climb both in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and decide for yourself. .. Wendy spotted a grove of aspens across the creek. The planned trip was to drop my vehicle at Echo Lake at the base of the Mt. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several changes are in place for Wilderness Camping Permits for the 2020 season. As we went lower, the snow dissipated. Chicago Lakes - 9.8 Miles Round-Trip The Chicago Lakes are accessed from Echo Lake, 13.25 miles south of I-70 (Idaho Springs) in the Mt Evans Wilderness Area. At 11900', and in the cool, clear, morning air, there was no where else I wanted to be. Founded in November 2005, FOMELC provides cooperative stewardship support to the United States Forest Service. Chicago Lakes Hike Near Mt. I grabbed my book, ran over and killed time with some hot joe and a slice of hot apple pie. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Mount Evans Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Crossing the creek, we came to what looked like a hunters camp. My pleasures of choice are simple ones. These sites include Amazon, eBay, REI, Backcountry.com, LA Police Gear, Moose Jaw, Gaia GPS, Six Moon Designs, and ULA Equipment. The Mount Evans Wilderness features two fourteener mountains: Mount Evans, which stands at 14,264 feet, and Mount Bierstadt at 14,060 feet. In in this simplicity, I find myself more content than not. 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