Overview

Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (formerly Mount Evans) is 28 miles (45 km) in length and gains over 7,000 feet (2,100 m) of elevation. Achieving a final elevation of 14,130 feet (4,310 m), this is the highest paved road in North America. The road was originally planned by the Denver Mountain Parks system to link Summit Lake Park and Echo Lake Park to their lower altitude parks in the foothills. As originally planned, the road ran from Bergen Park near Evergreen to Echo Lake, and then to the summit, while the road from Echo Lake down into Chicago Creek Canyon was a secondary branch.

Description

Stop At: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, Colorado 80465

For the past 35 years, this stunning 9000 seat theater has provided unparalleled views of the area's breathtaking scenery, the latter of which serves as an ideal backdrop for the Theater's stage. Unlike any other establishment of its type in the United States, the Red Rocks Amphitheater is truly a sight to behold.

Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Evergreen Lake, Evergreen, Colorado

Drive by the 55 acre Evergreen Lake Park, the recreational jewel of Evergreen. Home to the Evergreen Lakehouse, this is the perfect spot for q quick escape into nature.

Pass By: Evergreen, Evergreen, Colorado

Evergreen’s historic Main Street, bordered between a pink cliff wall of boulders and the rapidly flowing mountain waters of Bear Creek is compact, but full of irresistible fine arts, crafts and gifts worthy of any home, as well as bistros, coffee shops, boutiques, specialty shopping, and live music.

Stop At: Echo Lake Park, CO-103 & Mt Evans Rd, Evergreen, Colorado 80439

We will have a picnic lunch at Echo Lake. It is a shallow, oligotrophic lake situated at 10,600 ft (3,230 m) above sea level near Mount Blue Sky in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It formed during the latest period of glaciation roughly 10,000 years ago. As glaciers retreated in the Chicago Creek valley, lateral moraines formed a natural dam to drainage, forming the lake.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Mount Evans Scenic Byway, Denver, Colorado

Be ready for some of the most incredible views, the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (formerly Mount Evans) is 28 miles (45 km) in length and gains over 7,000 feet (2,100 m) of elevation and then hike the rest of the way and you’ve climbed a 14er! Chance to see bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and marmots in their natural habitat. Enjoy incredible views, in a comfortable ride.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Pass By: Idaho Springs, Idaho Springs, Colorado

Founded 162 years ago in 1859 by prospectors during the early days of the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, the town was at the center of the region's mining district throughout the late nineteenth century.