Wednesday July 23 2014
Today my friend Mike Prendergast and I decided to ride up to the top of Mt. Evans, one of two 14,000 foot mountains with paved roads to the top. In order for us to complete this ride with good weather conditions we had to depart Idaho Springs no later than 7:30 am. To get to Idaho spring by that time we had to leave at six am, not my favorite time.
We took off at the proper time and it was a perfect day. No clouds and the temperature was in the high 50's. It is 13 miles and 3000 plus vertical ft to Echo Lake Lodge and the base of Mt. Evans. We stopped for a small rest at the lodge and started up towards the top after going through the ranger and fee stations with out having to pay (YES).
The first part of the which is three miles is to the nature building. While there we to some pictures and talked to the rangers about the wild flowers and the growing season which is less than 90 days. It is a steady climb with one fairly steep section on the way to Summit Lake. There is then a 2 mile section that is about a 6 percent grade but not really tough. The last 5 miles is all switch backs and steep, not to mention no air at 13,000 ft. It was a good challenge. I reached the top ten minutes after Mike. I know how T.J. felt on the first day in the Pyrenees. I could see Mike two switchbacks up but could do nothing to catch him.
We enjoyed the views from the top and the wild life but we could not stay long because storms were brewing. The road on Mt. Evans is in poor shape. The frost heave has left substantial cracks in the road every 15 feet. There are pot wholes that I swear if you look down them you could see China. This did not seem to effect mikes riding much but it certainly got my attention.
Mike waited at the lodge for me and took off on my arrival. The Squaw Pass road was better so we really rode quickly to miss the incoming storm. It started drizzling about half way down and when we were 5 miles out it started to pour. We were both quite wet we got to the truck. I guess we should have started at 7:15.
I forgot to start the Garmin so the mileage and climb are off. It was about 57 miles and 6,736 feet of climbing. All in all a good day.