Mount Blue Sky — Attraction in Four Corners States

A Majestic Adventure at Mount Blue Sky!

Venturing up Colorado's iconic Mount Blue Sky, (formally known as Mount Evans) is an experience that transcends words. From the moment you set foot on this majestic 14er, you're enveloped in a world of unparalleled beauty and awe-inspiring vistas.

Ascending from Echo Lake, the journey begins with a drive that sets the stage for what's to come. Along the way, you'll encounter a vibrant tapestry of fellow adventurers, each drawn to the mountain's allure.

The hike itself is a testament to both nature's grandeur and one's own resilience. As you navigate the challenging terrain, every step forward is met with breathtaking panoramas that leave you spellbound. From lush valleys to rugged peaks, every turn unveils a new wonder waiting to be discovered.

Of course, tackling Mountain isn't for the faint of heart. The elevation presents its own set of challenges, pushing both body and mind to their limits. Yet, with each summit conquered, there's an overwhelming sense of triumph and accomplishment.

As the day transitions into night, and the moon casts its gentle glow upon the landscape, the true magic of Mount Evans reveals itself. It's a journey of contrasts – of pain and pleasure, challenge and reward – all culminating in an experience that's nothing short of extraordinary.

So, to all fellow adventurers seeking the ultimate outdoor excursion, look no further than Mount Blue Sky. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a novice explorer, this is one destination that promises memories to...

This is one of my favorite places to go in Colorado. When out of town guests visits (and the weather is right) I refer them or bring them on up this road in search of the great Mountain Goat (which are non native and were actually introduced by the state of Colorado's Division of Wildlife). My Mom has yet to recover from her trip up 2 summers back as she doesn't do so well with heights/narrow roads.

You can purchase a day pass or a special parks pass which allows you access to other great parks such as Rocky Mountain National Park (this is the one I went for). You could also hike or bike up but I have yet to experience the urge.

On the trip when I purchased the parks pass at the station/visitor center off of the highway the weather actually wasn't so great (viability was about 10-15 feet until you reached the summit) so the folks at the gate let us through without even seeing the pass (this made me a bit sad but I know the money goes to help the state parks and I'd be sure to get use out of it anyhow).

Since moving here I don't tend to notice much with altitude changes but I can remember becoming a bit tired when I was a sea level liver. I did make sure my guest had been loading up on water since arriving to Colorado and I packed lots of tasty treats.

I think the biggest notes here are to of course bring some warm clothes (just in case, mountain weather can change so fast), have a couple hours set aside (so you can take your time and not be in a rush, the traffic can be hectic), as well as...

Whoa! One of Colorado's most famous 14ers (14,000 foot mountain)! The views up at this mountain are breathtakingly magestic! There's little wonder why the natives called this area a "gem in the mountains". This mount is a sight to behold regardless of the mode of your preferred transportation up the mountain! All the sights up are magical. We drove up the mountain to Echo Lake to start our hike. On the way up we saw every kind of hiker, road hikers, bicyclists, motor bikers, joggers, you name it... They were here. Mt Evan's attracts all kinds of adventurers to its beautiful sights! Highly recommend this hike. It has a very challenging climb just as well. This hike was the toughest of hikes I've ever embarked on! We took the hike from Echo Lake to the first Chicago lake. It proved to be the beginning of a gruesome day of a climbing treck that left me sore from my calves, thighs, hamstrings, glutes, traps & shoulders!! The thin air up there is the biggest challenge to deal with (if your not from around these parts). Every ten foot incline is a kick to a chest. On the contrary, on your way back down your descend... as you climb down into thicker atmosphere, your energy starts to come back as long as your on a descend. We started the hike at midday and made it back out under a full moon. As painful as it was... It was equally as much fun! Distance: About 8-12 miles RT.

Elevation Gain: Trail gains 200 feet, then drops 400 feet, then gains 1,400 feet to the upper lake

Trailhead: at Echo...