Overall Route Rating
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4.56 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.56
20 Reviews

The "High 5" to Mt. Evans

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Apr 30, 2005

Rider Reviews

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Guest
July 15, 2009
Few roads could ever compare to the high altitude…
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Guest
June 22, 2008
The El Rancho route will have less traffic…
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Written Directions

There are a couple different ways you can get to the starting point for this route. - One is to take I-70 (west out of Denver or East out of Georgetown) to Idaho Springs and exit at exit #240/Route 103 south. You would just take 103 about south for about 12 miles. - The other option is to exit I-70 at/near El Rancho, CO (Exit # 252) and take US40/route 74 south till about 3 miles later when 74 meets state route 103 which you want to take west for about 15 miles. Both options above bring you to the "Mt Evans Highway"/state route 5 which is where the real fun (and this motorcycle road) begin. Head up into MT Evans on the MT Evans highway/SR 5 ... one way trip is about 12 miles ... round trip of course being about 24 miles. If you like the thrill of the Beartooth or the Trail ridge road, this one will make you forget them both! This route is a must ride for any biker! With any luck you will get a clear day as you can see over 75% of Colorado from up there! And you are looking down at most of it!

Scenery

Mountain tops! You are looking down at most of Colorado's mountain peaks! This is the highest paved road in the US! Goes over 14,264 feet. Get near the edge and she's quite a thrill! Not for the faint at heart! But something to see! Lower elevations is typical dense forest switchbacks. You will soon go above the tree line and while the area is barren, the vista you can see is amazing!

Drive Enjoyment

Road has a few bumpy areas, but no problem as you will not be in a hurry up there!! Top end has fairly new pavement, although about 15 feet wide!

Tourism Opportunities

I think it cost 4-5$ toll ... best deal in the country! Has a visitor center and restaurant at the start, nothing else till a parking lot at the top. Just bathrooms up there. For some riders it will be too late!!(don't look down). You'll also be traveling through the Arapahoe National Forest and will want to take in its beauty.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

*** If you are in the area, definitely head south and west of here and go over Independence Pass just East of Aspen! Another trail to rival the best! - View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Guest
April 21, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
I really like starting from The El Rancho way and heading west on Squaw Pass Rd. to the gift shop and diner.
You can't ride your bike to a higher point anywhere in the North American continent than here, not far away is another high adventure that entails riding to Leadville which is the highest incorporated city in N.America.
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pods
July 23, 2017
65 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
To ride the highest navigable mountain in the U.S. (North America) was an accomplishment.. was not anticipating the tight switchbacks, and glad I practice slow riding techniques. I went on a Sunday, so was busy, and it was the week before a bicycle race (so lots of riders out practicing and yeah, they ride right to the summit.) Did one hairpin following a bicyclist (really slow) and 5 cars stopped above us.. so no room. I tip my helmet to the riders on dressers and a Gold Wing, with passengers. Great weather at the bottom, rain moved in, lightning near the summit and it was close, then hail in the parking lot. After a similar situation the day before in Rocky Mountain Nat. Park, I didn't linger at the top, got my pics and hit the road down. You can definitely feel the altitude.. air is thin. Felt damn good about my riding skills after this one. July 2017
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Charles Peterson
May 18, 2016
115 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
In addition to proper riding attire, fleece and rain gear are always appropriate for the ride up this mountain since weather can change at a moments notice. During a beautiful clear day, fog rolled in as my buddy and I descended down the mountain. We were pelted with quarter-inch ice pellets for a third-mile @ half-way point and then rode in full sun to the base.
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