Mt. Evans - from Summit Lake over Mt. Spalding with descent NE Face
Unfortunately there is now a timed entry system to be allowed to take your vehicle up the Mt. Evans road. I believe it is still $10 but you must make a reservation online here. Info provided on my site as at December 2022.
The summit of Evans with the descent down to the road
Start of the loop over Mt. Spalding then on to Evans West Ridge from Summit Lake
Taken from the summit of Mt. Spalding
A look back at the Summit Lake parking area from the start of the Evans West Ridge
Start of Evans West Ridge route follow cairns below ridge crest around to the summit
Descent directly from the Mt Evans parking down to the road then left back to Summit Lake parking
On the summit of Mt. Evans
The RAV4 bags its first 14er!
Mt. Evans - from Summit Lake over Mt. Spalding with descent NE Face
- Scramble: Class 2 - Steep Hiking
- Altitude: 14,264 ft
- Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft approx, Summit Lk TH elevation 12,845 ft, 3.8 miles return with descent down NE face
- Start Time: 5am to 8am to be on your way down by noon and avoid potential lightning storms
- Ascent Time: 2 hours approx
Highlights
This scramble is a good introduction to scrambling 14ers. A nice one to start with after driving 1,100 miles from Calgary.
Getting There
Summit Lake Trailhead - 12,845 ft - Yes restrooms
Heading west out of Denver on I-70 take the Idaho springs exit number 240. Drive south on Colorado 103 for 13.5 miles to the Echo Lake campground and lodge. Just past here is the booth to show your reservation info.
See the new timed entry reservation system to take a vehicle up the Mt. Evans road. Still $10 for a vehicle. If you know your way around there are a few free pullouts you can use so some research might be in order! See comments on 14ers.com trailhead page
Updated Mt. Evans Summit Lake Trailhead info can be found here. Reservation required for the parking lot.
Updated Mt. Evans Summit Lake Trailhead Information Link at 14ers.com
Camping
If you want to camp the day before the Echo Lake campground charges $23 as of 2022. The lodge across the road sells bags of ice, drinks, baked goods etc.
Route Description
From the Summit Lake TH facing the lake head right and past the restrooms to pick up the trail over Mt Spalding, from the top of Mt Spalding you drop down to the saddle between Evans and Spalding. You can see Bierstadt and the Sawtooth over to your right. Continue on towards Evans and traverse the west ridge on the right side a bit below the ridge crest. Find the prominent cairns and follow these on the traverse around to the summit of Evans. The NE face descends directly from the parking area and the first part of the slope is reddish in color. There is a rough small trail heading down here to the road. A short walk back on the road to the Summit Lake trailhead and voila, a nice 14er outing.