Mt. Evans - from Summit
Lake over Mt. Spalding onto Mt. Evans west ridge
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 2021.
https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087438?tab=tours

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
https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087438?tab=tours
Updated trailhead info can be found
here
https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailheadsmain.php
Camping
If you want to camp the day before the Echo Lake
campground charges $21 as of 2021. 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.