Anybody ever cycled up Mt. Evans in Colorado?

[Candace66]

I'm thinking of giving Mt. Evans a shot this month. Anybody here done it? I'm wondering how the pavement is up there at the higher elevations. I recall driving up there years ago, and it was pretty bumpy.

They've got an organized event on July 21, but I'm planning to try it on my own. http://bicyclerace.com/

Not sure if I'll try to ride all the way up from Idaho Springs, though... :eek2:

[IntrepidXJ]

I drove it last summer and the pavement up high was pretty rough in places.

[willburcito]

I have cycled up Mt. Evans 6 times in the last 3 years, the last time being about a month ago, in late May, the day before they opened the road to car traffic past Echo Lake. All rides were from Idaho Springs, and all were successful ascents -- which is saying something, because it seems at least 4 of those rides encountered one or more elements of freezing rain, snow, strong wind, and dense fog, and i have seen more than a few riders turn around because they are not prepared for the weather. Personally, i think the road is really just fine for cycling -- not a big deal at all. The "bumps" are from frost-heaving, and are really not a big deal compared to the opportunity to ride your bike to 14,130 ft! Here in Moab, most of the roads are truly bad, so the road up Mt. Evans seems rather plush to me. Personally, I would encourage you to ride from Idaho Springs because you will experience more satisfaction from starting there -- it may feel like cheating to start at Echo Lake! Plus, it's only 24 miles from Idaho Springs to the summit -- all uphill of course, but it's never that steep. In terms of strategy, make sure to get an early start....say 6am if you can swing it, but hopefully not later than 7am, and just take your time and ride slowly (really!) so that you have your strength and energy where you really need it, which is obviously the upper part. I bring extra clothes, because the weather will likely be different towards and at the top -- at least a rain jacket and some warm gloves and hat -- but i also bring some extra layers too, because the ride down from the summit can be very cold if you are wet at all from rain or sweat, plus the wind-chill you generate as you go down. I love this ride!! I hope to go back this summer and do it again! There were no wildflowers out when i went in late May -- i'll bet they will really be popping for your ride! Have fun :)

[Candace66]

Thanks for the great beta, willburcito!

Speaking of bad pavement near Moab... I scouted the La Sal Mt. Loop last time I was down there. (I had planned to ride it, but there were 45 MPH wind gusts that day.) There's some truly crap pavement on that road! On the other hand, if you come up from Castle Valley and keep going straight instead of turning right for the Mt. Loop Road, the pavement is great and that road goes up very high before turning to dirt. (Have you ever pedalled up there?)

Back to Mt. Evans, I was already thinking I'd need to use a lumbar pack to bring along the clothes I'd want for the descent! :haha: I lived in Denver for a few years and did a lot of peak-bagging back then, so I'm familiar with the weather pattern up at those heights. Speaking of that, I also planned on an early start to hopefully reach the top before a T-storm shows up.

I was actually hoping to go this week, but we'll see if work will actually allow me to do so. (On paper, I'm shown having 4 days off, but I'm sure I'll be expected to come in anyway...)

Is there any sort of water spigot or fountain at either Echo Lake or the top (or anyplace else along that road that you've noticed)?

[willburcito]

Yes i've ridden straight on the Castle Valley road, past the turn onto the LaSal Loop Road -- it turns to dirt not long after that, and is called the Gateway road after that, as it goes all the way to Gateway, CO. It's fine riding, and descending John Brown canyon into Gateway is a treat -- from Gateway, you can ride in several directions: you can go north through Unaweep Canyon up to Whitewater, CO., or south along the Dolores river to Naturita and farther to Telluride -- or you can go the dirt way (on good dirt roads) across the Uncompagre plateau to Telluride as well. The LaSal loop road is full of potholes and cattle grates to be cautious of on the section that is on top, i.e., before you descend into Spanish Valley and towards Moab, but it's not really too bad.
Regarding services at Echo lake on Mt. Evans, there is a Lodge there where you can fill up on water (inside in the bathroom with nice tall spigots, or use the water fountain) and they have a little snack bar so if it's cold you can even have hot cocoa (with peppermint schnapps if you like!) and a slice of pie. From Idaho Springs, Echo lake is half-way to the summit -- so 14 miles -- and two water bottles has always been plenty for me to get to the lodge, then fill them up and you're good to go for the next 14 miles. There is another little place a few miles farther -- right at treeline -- with bathrooms and access to water, and farther up still is Summit lake, with bathrooms and i don't know about water (you could always dip from the lake and treat it). Water has never been an issue for me on this ride. The issue has always been, in every case, getting cold hands (and sometimes feet) on the way down, so i can't emphasize enough being prepared that way, and it sounds like you know the drill!
~ Will

[Candace66]

Thx again for the info. Sounds like there are plenty of places to fill my water bottles on the Evans ride, shouldn't have to resort to the lake water. :haha:
Pie sounds good, but I can imagine missing it because I need to descend before it starts sleeting or snowing! :cold: Reminds me of having some nice fresh fudge from from the tourist stop during a ride over Monarch Pass. Yummy!

I remember a couple of descents in eastern California (Horseshoe Meadows and the west side of Death Valley Road) where I was literally shivering by the time I got down. That despite having stuff like leg warmers, a windproof headband, and a thick soft shell-type jacket. And in those cases, it was sunny without any precipitation, and the elevation wasn't nearly as high...but it was early fall.

[willburcito]

If you do get cold on the way down, you should be thawed out by the time you reach Echo lake on the descent -- that is where i have usually stopped to "de-laminate". BTW, i recommend "Two Brothers Deli" in Idaho Springs (very close to the road that goes up Mt Evans, on Main St.) as a place to eat breakfast, coffee-up, and/or have lunch on the way down.

[Candace66]

I wonder how the air quality is up there, what with all the fires in CO? :ne_nau:

[willburcito]

As they say in Maine, "Hard tellin', not knowin'". There is a website for Mt. Evans (find it with a google search) and they post weather info there and if it were smoky maybe they'd mention that too -- and perhaps there's a # you can call as well... Good luck if you get over there and if you do it, post a ride report!

[Candace66]

Well, I made it up there on Tuesday! See the biking photos thread for photographic documentation. :haha: I'll try to cobble together a report soon!

[astrologie]

link removed.....