Mt Evans is a classic high altitude climb located in the eastern Rocky Mountains just outside of Denver. The climb to Mt Evans starts near I-70 in a town called Idaho Springs. Each year there is a race to the summit called the Bob Cook Memorial Hillclimb. In 2013, they had the 48th annual version of this race. In 2008 when I rode it we parked in a lot on the side of the road near the start of the hillclimb, but in 2013, that area was taken by construction vehicles that were working on expansion of the twin tunnels on I-70 just east of Idaho Springs.
Altimetry of Mt Evans
Map of Mt Evans Ride
The climb starts with very easy gradients which get steeper as you approach Echo Lake at about the 13 mile marker. The 2nd half of this initial phase of climbing (miles 6-13) are steepest and are roughly 6-7%. The climb flattens as you pass Echo Lake until you take a right into the Mt Evans Park where you have to pass though a Ranger Station to pay a fee if you are driving up the mountain. In the past there was a fee for cyclists also, but we found you this year than in 2012 they stopped collecting fees from cyclists. The first few miles after the toll booth are some of the steepest of the climb and I always have to remind myself that it gets better as you go on. It is also after these steep sections that you emerge above the tree lines to spend the last 9 miles or so exposed to the weather. The road also significantly degrades after you move above the tree line and there are are frequent steep drop offs with no guard rails. Luckily, traffic isn't usually too bad so you can stay away from the cliffs in most situations!
Above the tree line you start climbing with a view down to Echo Lake far below and I remember being amazed at how high you have climbed so quickly. It has been windy both times I've ridden Mt Evans and there really is no place to hide. after a bit you cross back to the other side of the ridge where you stay until starting the final push to the summit. This is were some of the steepest and most exposed cliffs are. Luckily(?) as you are climbing, the cliffs are across the road, but the descent can be hairy. It's really not that steep at this point, but by this time you have been climbing for 17 or 18 miles and the altitude starts playing with your mind as you weave along the ridge line always going up. There is some respite right around mile 19 or 20 where there is a short descent to Summit Lake which is funny because at this point, you are still 6 miles from the summit! It is quite bad road here, but the views are spectacular! You are already at about 12,000 feet altitude when you are at Summit Lake.
The climb tries to break your sprit after Summit Lake because there is another very steep section of 1 to 2 miles here. Battle through because once you clear this section, you are almost home. Well, there still is some serious climbing, at altitude, but you can make it once you get past this spot. There are switchbacks for the last 4 or 5 miles, all exposed, all in the rocks, all above 13,000 feet and all with amazing views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. It's important to stay focused, the altitude can be a killer. In 2008, the weather was getting cold and windy when we visited. I say down a few hundred meters to put on warm cloths and just turned around and descended without reaching the top. I was seeing double and triple and just decided it wasn't worth the risk. In 2013, I had much better weather and I made it to the top with no issues with altitude. Yes, I was tired but come on, it was 27 miles of climbing and I was at 14,100 feet when done. In 2008 my good friend Tom insists he saw Barney the dinosaur riding up the mountain (likely someone in a purple kit) and in 2013, he passed me while I was climbing and he was descending, we briefly talked, but he didn't remember seeing me.
The summit is usually fairly crowded, but the views are truly spectacular. There is also a trail to climb to the very top of the mountain is you are so inclined. I have not done that! Most of the visitors are completely amazed that you have ridden a bike from Idaho Springs to the Summit and they are often curious about how you plan to get back down!
Plan for bad weather, it can obviously be much different weather at 14,000+ feet. My time for the hillclimb route as calculated by Strava in 2013 is 4:09:35. Not fast but hey, it's 4 hours of climbing at altitude! I'm happy. Here is my 2008 set of times on Strava.
Finally, if you want to see the whole climb, here it is in reverse and sped up to 5 times the actual speed. Unfortunately I didn't start the camera from the upper parking lot, I was a switch back or two down from the top.
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