Recommended Route Summit Lake, via Mount Spalding—use of this route will help to reduce impacts to this Fourteener’s fragile alpine environments. For detailed route information including pictures, maps, and elevation profiles, click here.

Route Information and Additional Resources Drive on the Mount Evans highway (this is a fee highway) to Summit Lake. From the Summit Lake parking lot, head north to the Chicago Basin overlook and climb up the west ridge to Mount Spalding. From Mount Spalding stay on the ridgeline and circle south, southeast to Mount Evans.

The above information does not replace the need to consult additional maps and Colorado Fourteener Guidebooks for more detailed route descriptions. We suggest checking multiple resources before departing on any hike. Keep in mind that not all guidebooks list this recommended route and that each guidebook’s description or route name may vary slightly.

Note: This route is likely not in a guidebook, the Forest Service is in process of constructing a systems trail for this route.

Peak Specific Environmental and Safety Concerns Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces. Please stay on impacted trails. Due to no system trail currently there are several braided trails heading up the summit ridge. Travel on the trail that is most worn. Walk on rocks when possible. Damaged tundra takes a long time to heal. Do not climb from the road southeast of Summit Lake to the summit. These slopes have been seriously eroded by hikers. Respect Wildlife. Mountain goats frequent Mount Evans. Keep dogs on leash to minimize harassment to goats and other animals and other hikers. Do not feed or approach the goats.