Mount Blue Sky — Local services in Four Corners States

Yikes! The road to get there is crazy dangerous. Ok so first, I should mention, that I'm not an adrenaline junkie. I don't make it a habit to jump out of planes (ever) and I don't go on roller coasters often. And I don't like "heights". So take what I say with a grain of salt....but it has to be said...the road on the edge of the mountain to get up to the top is by far, the most dangerous road I've ever been on. (I don't like Independence Pass either, which now seems like a cake walk compared to this road.).....there are no guard rails and in most spots when traveling on the outside lane, there is literally about a foot or two leeway after the road line and is the difference between staying on the road or plummeting to your death. And for a lot of the road, it's at a cliff's edge. The road is not for the faint of heart and hopefully you trust with your life whomever is driving. Once to the top, you can park and then hike to the top. Once out of the car, I couldn't walk more than a handful of steps before getting dizzy. And once I started to climb, I got vertigo and nauseated. The other adult and 2 kids I was with had no problem climbing to the top....It looks like there was an observatory and possibly bathrooms...(can't be sure about the bathroom part.).....the views are breathtaking..along the way and at the top. It's best to go on a clear day. I'm not really sure how long it took to get up the mountain from where you pay, but I'm thinking at least 30 minutes...it felt like much longer to me...I'm not really sure...it also looked like when we were coming back down, when the sun was going down, there was no one at the gate anymore...so I don't know if after a certain time you don't have to pay the $15 to go up? It was worth it, if you have to pay, just for the views and experience....There's a little pond on the right, before you get to the gate house, where you can stop off and get out for a bit..looks like there was a trail there as well. Oh and...no matter if it's 90 degrees at ground level, the top of Mount Evans averages 42 degrees...so bring warm clothes and/or blankets...

Stunning views, incredible experience. If you want to know that the top of the world looks like, do this climb! (Caution: not for the faint of heart or fear of heights)

Going up this mountain can be a bit disorienting for some. It is like being in an airplane only driving on the road. There are no guard rails, the driver needs to be mindful of driving on the narrow road with little to no shoulders. This is not a trip for the queasy! There is a reason they call it OMG Highway! It is the highest paved road in America! And one of the 5 most dangerous highways in the country. **Driving tip! Take it slow. If you are feeling fear look towards the mountain &/or center lines (when visible) Do Not look over the edge of you are feeling out of balance. There are ZERO guardrails! This drive can be disorienting and frightening for many. Totally worth the trip!

The views up to Echo Lake are beautiful! Just past the lodge and gift shop at Echo Lake, at the base of Mt Evans, is the entrance to the summit. There is a lake at the “summit” with lots of parking. Walk the path to see the Chicago lakes and other mountain peaks are visible from there was well. Flip Flops are not advisable.

Now hike to the top OR hop back in the car and drive to the top! (Road not always open due to wearing conditions)

The weather can shift quickly at the summit. Take a jacket, water AND be sure to get a can of oxygen. At 14k+ feet you may find you need it to make the trip more pleasurable. Elevation can make you nauseous and give you a headache.

On the summit you can see forever! Lots of wildlife and interesting history. Stop at the small observatory on the way up or down to learn about the interesting things one can find on this mountain! Like why the trees are twisted, how do small animals live in such conditions, and interesting plant life facts too.

On the downhill, take a right on to Squaw Pass (To Evergreen. Great little town!) for another incredibly amazing view along the ridge. You can see BOTH sides of the ridge along that drive. Fantastic and...

I grew up in Colorado, and the mountain's name was Mount Evans for decades. Like most rational people, I am sick of the historical lies and distortions used to demonize our history. Mount Blue Sky is named after the Arapaho, as it that is somehow better than Mount Evans. The Arapoho stole land from weaker Indian tribes, and they waged countless wars against many other tribes well before Europeans arrived. They routinely tortured their enemies, like most Indians of the time. Here is just a short list of the tribes the Arapoho fought with: the Pawnee (Hooxeihiinenno' – "wolf people"), Omaha (Howohoono'), Ho-chunk, Osage (Wosootiinen, Wosoo3iinen or Wosoosiinen), Ponca (same as Omaha: Howohoono'), and Kaw (Honoho') east of their territory. North of Arapaho territory they fought with the Crow (Houunenno'), Blackfoot Confederacy (Woo'teenixteet or Woo'teenixtee3i' – ″people wearing black-feet″), Gros Ventre (Hitouunenno', Gros Ventre tribe: Hitouuteen), Flathead (Kookee'ei3i'), Arikara (Koonoonii3i' – ″people whose jaws break in pieces″), Iron Confederacy (Nehiyaw-Pwat) (Assiniboine (Nihooneihteenootineihino' - "yellow-footed Sioux"), Plains/Woods Cree (Nooku(h)nenno'; Plains Cree tribe: Nookuho' - "rabbit people"), Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwa) and Nakoda (Stoney)). To the west they fought with eastern Shoshone (Sosoni'ii; Shoshone tribe: Sosoni'iiteen) and the Ute (Wo'(o)teenehi3i' - ″cut throats″; Ute tribe: Wo'(o)teennehhiiteen). South of their territory they occasionally fought with the Navajo (Coohoh'oukutoo3i' – ″those who tie their hair in back of the head or in bunches″), Apache (Coo3o' – "enemy" or Teebe'eisi3i' – "they have their hair cut straight, hanging straight down", Ti'iihiinen – "killdeer people" refers especially to Jicarilla Apache) and various Pueblo peoples (Cooh'ookutoo3i' – "they tie their hair...