Mount Evans, Colorado

Rising to a staggering height of 14,240 feet, Mount Evans is a majestic destination that takes visitors on an incredible journey through four distinct life zones. From the Front Range, travelers ascend 8,640 feet to the summit, experiencing breathtaking scenery and natural wonders along the way. It’s not uncommon for visitors to leave in sweltering 90-degree heat and arrive two hours later in a chilly 40-degree chill, shivering as they set up their tripods.

Huge Views

Reaching the summit of Mount Evans offers an unparalleled view that cannot be found many places on the planet. To the north, visitors can see all the way to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is approximately 50 miles away. To the east, Denver can be seen in the distance, looking small and tiny, with the vast plains stretching beyond. On clear days, visitors can see up to 80 miles. Photography enthusiasts will find this panoramic view a haven for capturing stunning shots.

Journey to the Top

The road to the summit is curvy and steep, prompting the question, “Why do I keep seeing bicyclists riding up the road?” Although it is a long, steep, and high-altitude journey, the route still attracts cyclists. Sometimes it’s worth stopping at an overlook with grand mountains in the background and waiting for a biker to pass. The resulting sports photographs can be quite striking, with the mountains as a dramatic backdrop.

Rainbows Below

Rainbows are a natural phenomenon often seen gracing the high alpine meadows as clouds pass directly through the area, creating a “fog” of sorts. These rainbows are breathtaking, and visitors should keep their cameras ready to capture the magical moment.

Wildlife and Wildflowers

Mount Evans is a wildlife photographer’s dream destination. Visitors can expect to see marmots, eagles, foxes, mountain goats, and big horn sheep. It’s not uncommon to get within a dozen yards of these creatures, but visitors should exercise caution as these animals have big pointy horns. The abundance of wildlife is not the only natural wonder on display at Mount Evans. The area is also rich in wildflowers, with species such as Rocky Mountain Columbine, Bluebells, Fairy Slippers, Monkshood, Wild Strawberry, Snow Buttercup, and more. Visitors should break out their macro lenses or at least a good telephoto lens as these flowers tend to be quite small. Their brilliant colors and stunning backgrounds make for exceptional photo opportunities.

Alpine Lakes

The journey to the summit of Mount Evans includes several opportunities to photograph stunning alpine lakes. During June, these lakes are surrounded by spring flowers that are starting to bloom (remember, spring comes late at these elevations). Echo Lake offers a classic Colorado scenery shot, with a backdrop of pine forest and snow-capped mountains. If the wind is calm, visitors can capture the surrounding snow-capped mountains as reflections within the crystal waters. Summit Lake is located 12,830 feet above sea level and provides an excellent example of a high alpine lake. It lies in a cirque formed by Mount Evans and Mount Spalding, with rocky ridges and cliffs rising from the lake to the summits over 1,000 feet above. It is the most accessible lake above timberline as the Summit Lake parking area is just a few hundred feet from the lake. The area to the east of the lake is Summit Lake Flats and is the only known area of permafrost located in the United States outside of Alaska.