Monday, June 30, 2008

Day trip to Mount Evans

Yesterday (Sunday) we took a trip out to Mount Evans.
Mount Evans is the road into the sky. Drive from 8,700 to 14,240 feet to the summit. You will pass through 3 life zones, passing ancient trees, lakes and forest to the land above timberline. It can be 90 degrees in Denver and 40 degrees at the top of Mount Evans. Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep will greet you as you climb to the top of the world. , the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains.


Mount Evans is normally closed for most of the year, due the amount of snow and unpredictable weather, especially in winter.
The Mount Evans pass is now open, and Chris and I decided to take a trip up to the peak and go on a little hike up to the summit.
The weather was stunning, hot and sunny. The trip up to Mount Evans was stunning, all the snow had melted and all the trees were green and blooming.
View of one of the lakes on the way to the summit
Some think ice on the side of the mountain, and a crazy cyclist on his way up

Another half frozen pond

As you approach the peak, the road get narrower and all you see is shear cliff edges, a little close for comfort. The temperature also drops dramatically to around 45 degrees F.
View of the cliff edge from the car


Being above 14,000 feet, the air is thin and you can feel it. Climbing up to the peak took a little effort. But well worth it. The views from the summit were amazing!! Views of the snow capped mountain and Lake Echo were stunning.


Proof that we did it
A cool pic of Chris "flying" at the summit



On the way down, we stopped off at Echo Lake. This lake is frozen for most of the year, and is rather eery to look at, the one point still frozen and ice floating in the water.

Echo Lake

Heading back down the mountain started taking it’s toll, and I got a little altitude sickness with a massive headache. I always thought that the warnings about altitude sickness at this height was ridiculous, until it happens to you. We did get to see some mountain goats on the way down, which was great, because you do not see that much wildlife in the parks, they seems to be very skittish.
The allusive mountain goat

But what a awesome day, now planning our next camping and hiking trip.

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