Carry a coat and a hat along. ", In January 2009, a Forest Service program manager advised that "at undeveloped sites, occupied parked vehicles or unoccupied parked vehicles where the occupants are in close proximity to the vehicle are...not subject to the recreation fee at that location.". The cost of strolling around one of Colorado’s drive-up 14ers will climb to $15 this summer, when Denver starts collecting a $5 fee for access to the city-owned Summit Lake Park on Mount Evans. Last year, 59,000 vehicles drove Mount Evans. By clicking 'X' or continuing to use the site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. From either Idaho Springs (Exit 240 on I-70) or Bergen Park, (Exit #252 to Evergreen Parkway from westbound I-70, then turn west onto the Squaw Pass Road), drive to Echo Lake on HWY 103 (aka: Squaw Pass Road in Bergen Park), then take the Mt. (The Sand Creek Massacre happened on his watch in 1864. With evidence like that, the Forest Service failed to get the lawsuit tossed. I may rearrange my plans a little and go up Mt. Vehicles over 30' long are not recommended on CO 5 (Mount Evans road) due to the steep, narrow, winding road. "This drive offers visitors scenic views of the Continental Divide, mountain goat and bighorn sheep herds, wildflowers and Bristlecone Pine trees.". On an upcoming road trip, I plan to drive up there for a quick look, and perhaps snap a photo and be on my way. The Mount Evans climb passes the 4,000 meter level and is therewith the highest paved road in the United Stats. At a glance, there is an "entrance fee" to drive up to the top of Mt. Stop at the Visitor Center for information, then continue on Miner Street to 13th Avenue which is State Highway 103 and continues on State Highway 5 through a corridor between the Mount Evans Wilderness where it ends near the summit of Mount Evans. Evans, especially since you have the National Parks Pass through May. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40889523', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mount Evans drive with the payment and also tried it once without the fee, because my cheap in-laws from Texas were with me. The byway leads south of town on Highway 103 to the junction of Highway 5, the entrance to Mount Evans Road. There is a fee of 3 USD if you pass the entrance at about km 21,5 km, at 25 km from the top. Pack a Snack bare minimum, but moreover a good Picnic is an excellant idea. it chirps. Which car rental company at Denver International Airport ... Best place to ski in Late January/ February? The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, just 60 miles west of Denver, is the highest paved road in North America. In Winter do I need a 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle in Colorado? The "Road to the Stars" is the highest paved road in North America. Parking is available at the junction with Hwy 5 (Mount Evans Road). Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. From the summit are breathtaking views of the Front Range and the Great Plains. The best time to catch a glimpse of wildlife is either early in the day, around sunrise or around sunset. Can you tell me about guest ranch vacations in Colorado? But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. The road and access to the top of Mount Evans is closed at Summit Lake the day after Labor Day. How about if you pause at the side of the road to take a picture? After hearing enough of those complaints, in 2007 the Colorado Department of Transportation, which owns and maintains the road (but collects none of the fees), got the Forest Service to put up a sign that states "Parked vehicles must display a valid recreation pass next 15 miles." Get answers to your questions about Colorado. Take Exit 241 off Interstate 70 for 1 mile. The thing is that I have a national parks annual pass, but it expires the end of this month...and my current plan is to drive up Mt. Privacy, Well, Scherer, for starters. For the latest information about the road visit [this website]” (Forest Service - Mount Evans). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Under this law, the entrance fee at the start of Highway 5 should have been discontinued in all but very specific cases. There are scenic pullouts all along the highway, and in addition to that scenic toilet, the very summit is billed as an overlook, with a viewing platform and signs that boast "I Can See for Miles." more. Shaking down citizens was not what Mayor Robert Speer had in mind when he proposed that a road be built up Mount Evans, just thirty miles from Denver, back in 1910. Help, The independent voice of Denver since 1977. Officials say Colorado's Mount Evans Highway will remain closed to vehicles for the summer as a result of health and safety concerns and economic difficulties related to the coronavirus. There will be a lot of people and no place for parking. I saw a sign for Mt Evans Fee Area - 14 Miles and hoped that it was 14 miles to the top of Mt. What are the roads like, and what do I need to know about driving in Colorado? Climbing Mt. This paper also threatens a $25 fine and legal action if the owner of the vehicle does not pay the fee. During construction, workers used ropes to pull themselves and their equipment up and down the steep cliffs of Mount Evans. But she also directed the staff not to "advertise this capability. My recomendation is to pay the fee.The Forest Service doesn't get enough appropriated funds from Congress for the upkeep of such a popular place, so they charge fees to the actual users of the place. Pay the Recreation Standard Amenity Fee at the fee booth and continue up the mountain several miles until you see the Dos Chappell Nature Center on your left (at a switchback in the road). I forget that the "peak" is another 1/4 mile from the parking lot, so I guess I will definitely be using that amenity. But at Mount Evans, the Forest Service interprets an amenity very strictly: If you park, you pay the $10 fee. Can I get to Rocky Mountain National Park without a car? I always get caught wanting to go somewhere about 2 days after mine expires as well - it's quite irritating. After studying the subject for a year, he got a break in February 2008, when he found the Forest Service plans for a toilet at "the Mount Evans overlook" — and overlooks are specifically exempt from fees by the FLREA. Evans ($10) unless you have a National Parks Pass. Evans Road (entrance fee required) and drive to Summit Lake where you can park. Mount Evans is the highest peak in the Front Range Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Pay the entrance fee and drive 9 miles up the Mt. The road stops just 34 feet short of the summit — which makes Mount Evans the easiest fourteener you'll ever climb. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Terms, Ditto for cars parked on the state highway. Answer 1 of 5: At a glance, there is an "entrance fee" to drive up to the top of Mt. Still, the fee was just $10, and "Who wants to fight government, especially over $10?" ©2020 Denver Westword, LLC. for persons who are driving through, walking through, boating through, horseback riding through, or hiking through Federal recreational lands and waters without using the facilities and services. Avoid visiting Mount Evans over the weekend. Although it burned down in 1979, the stone foundation has become a viewing platform — where you "can see for miles. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40884718', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mt. West Chicago Creek Website: coloradodot.info/… Driving up Mount Evans should be free. The highest paved road in North America, this byway rises more than 7,000 feet from the town of Idaho Springs to the summit of Mount Evans, one of Colorado's highest peaks at 14,264 feet above sea level. There are other sticky issues, too, Scherer's lawsuit charges. "When I have decided to drive the road without purchasing a pass," Scherer told the court, "the Forest Service has given me a slip of paper to remind me of the Forest Service's policy of no stopping, and inviting me to return and pay the fee another time." For example, in 2005 a Forest Service official sent an e-mail alerting staffers at Mount Evans to "be very careful about what we do...Make sure you read the law and interim direction to make sure you are not charging for activities that the Act explicitly says you can't charge for. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Over the next three months, tens of thousands of cars will make the trip up State Highway 5, which starts at Echo Lake and goes from 10,500 feet to 14,230 feet in just fourteen miles. The situation is the roadway itself is owned by the City of Denver, but the surrounding land is National Forest. The Cascade and Pikes Peak Toll Road Company took on the major task of building a road to the top of Pikes Peak. We use cookies to collect and analyze information on site performance and usage, and to enhance and customize content and advertisements. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/colorado/mount-evans-wilderness It would have been clearer still if the sign had not been placed a good fifty feet beyond the information booth, which blocks the view of the sign. "The way we interpret the law, if there are amenities, it's not free," says Barilotti, who's arguing a similar case involving Mount Lemmon near Tucson. "We need to take the Forest Service to court," he remembers thinking, "so we can show our evidence to the court.". Construction of the road from Echo Lake to the summit began in 1924 and completed in 1930. Back in 1997, under the new federal Recreational Fee Demonstration Act, the Forest Service put an entrance station at the start of the highway, at Echo Lake, and began charging a $10 access fee to enter Arapaho National Forest, which abuts the state highway. Related: What are the most popular tours in Colorado? The road is closed in winter and there is a fee to drive up the road. Winter Itinerary for Central Rockies - Our Extra Days ?? If you have a National Parks Pass it will work here, even though the area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, not the National Park Service. However, upon further digging, I found that some people dispute this fee, and that the "official rule" is that if you don't use the Forest Service Amenities, you shouldn't have to pay. Take Exit 240 at Idaho Springs on Interstate 70. Although the Peak to Peak ultimately stopped several peaks short of that grandiose goal, the state started building a dirt road up Mount Evans in 1917 and completed the job ten years later. The road up started pretty easy especially the first six miles. But if you want to get out of your car to conquer this peak, you'll have to pay. The contention is what defines "Amenities"... (The Scenic Pullouts is probably the only one I need to use) I have not found any additional/recent information. Nonetheless, the Service threatens federal criminal prosecution on land within the jurisdiction of the City and County of Denver." The Mount Evans highway typically opens to vehicular traffic at the end of May, but the agencies that manage the road and its amenities — CDOT, … But while the snow is melting on Mount Evans, their case seems frozen in court. Sitting at 10,600 feet, the restaurant in this log building serves up spicy buffalo chili. "As long as you drive to the top and back without stopping, you don't need to pay," repeats Bustos, the only Forest Service official authorized to talk about the case. What if you pull over onto one of the state-maintained scenic overlooks? What about the altitude/Altitude sickness? "The agreement further states that the Forest Service will not issue notices on behalf of Denver. Evans ($10) unless you have a National Parks Pass. ", The Forest Service's Fee Collection Guidelines, dated on April 22, 2005 (and still current), state that "Fees will not be charged: For overlooks or scenic pullouts. But unless you want to see that scenery on a drive-by, prepare to pay. Although it might help if the peak had a better name, he admits, or at least a dual name, like the Denali/Mount McKinley arrangement, since Colorado's second governor, John Evans, doesn't have the most impressive resumé. The road itself, and only the road is the fee-free section. Remember that this law is very focused on developed sites and special services...Keep in mind that if someone stops along the way to have a picnic, there is no fee." Evans has a road that takes you to a trail just a few hundred feet shy of the summit where you are likely to see both Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats. Mt. About Us, You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Denver with no paywalls. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40889974', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car, and driving back, you should pay the fee. Staff, What kind of rental car do I need & are there places I should not drive a rental car? Passing through Echo Lake Park, have a bite to eat at the Echo Lake Lodge. So, for the locals, what is the reality/law? The area includes two Denver Mountain Parks: Echo Lake, at the bottom of the highway, and Summit Lake Park, at milepost 9. Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we would like to keep it that way. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. To find out more, visit our cookies policy and our privacy policy. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: California Privacy Policy | California Collection Notice | Do Not Sell My Info. It is the highest paved road in North America. Speaking of the fee station, the fee for driving the Mount Evans Scenic Byway is $10.00 per vehicle for up to 12 occupants, and your pass will be valid for 3 days. ", The drive is such a stunner that Rich Grant, the communications director for Visit Denver, thinks the city is missing a bet by not promoting Mount Evans more. Evans ($10) unless you have a National Parks Pass. Done. All rights reserved. The road is in bad repair.. full of deep crater pot holes and very very hilly.. Circulation, The fee for the scenic overlook at the summit of Mt Evans continued unchanged when the road opened on Memorial Day weekend, 2005. Inside Colorado's Road Map to In-Person Learning, Hancock Won't Discuss Holiday Plans, Seems Pissed to Be Asked. Support the independent voice of Denver and help keep the future of Westword free. How does the Forest Service define amenities? The road was paved in the '30s, and a small restaurant, the Crest House, was built at the top in the '40s. Ten years later, the road was completed. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Arapaho National Forest currently charges a $10 amenity fee to visit Mount Evans. Right. I pictured a plateau and even thought that perhaps the road continued down the other side. "The Clear Creek Ranger District invites you to drive the highest road in North America!" "As long as you drive to the top and back without stopping, you don't need to pay.". Almost 48,000 of them paid the $10 fee. Evans. They really did a nice job with the short trail from the top of the road to the summit, and if you walk up it, you can say you were at the very top of a Colorado 14er! The Mount Evans Scenic Byway begins at the Idaho Springs Visitor Center. Looking for All Inclusive Family Friendly Ski Resort, Itinerary ideas for Colorado vacation in July 2011, Winter Park, Breckenridge, or Vail for March 2013 ski trip, Best Western Plus Deer Park Hotel & Suites. E00120 Thompson Memo Mt Evans FLREA Review Chart The Forest Service says that in 2005 they reviewed the fee program at Mt Evans for compliance with the restrictions in the (then-new) FLREA, and found it to be compliant. So why do so many pay a fee? CLEAR CREEK COUNTY—Mount Evans Highway (Colorado Highway 5) is officially open up to the summit of Mount Evans (14,264 feet).CDOT crews have been working diligently to have the road clear and safe for motorists in time for summer. The prominent 14,271-foot (4,350 m) fourteener is located 13.4 miles (21.6 km) southwest by south (bearing 214°) of Idaho Springs in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide between Arapaho National Forest and Pike National Forest. Basically, if you leave the roadway for any reason, you need to pay the fee. 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