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Mount Evans - Colorado
Mountain Beauty
At the turn of the last century, Colorado Springs and
Denver were in a race for the hearts and minds (not to mention dollars)
of the eastern tourist. In 1888, the Cascade and Pikes Peak Toll
Road Company completed a 16-mile road up the north side of Pikes
Peak. This became a major tourist attraction, drawing tourists away
from Denver Area. Not to be outdone, Denver's Mayor Speer proposed
that a road be constructed to the top of Mount Evans. In
1917, he was able to procure state funds to build the road. It was
completed in 1927.
During the summers of 1941 and 1942, Denver Mountain Parks built
the Crest House (also known as Summit House). It quickly became
a favorite destination of Coloradoans and tourists. Containing
both a restaurant and a gift shop, one was able to enjoy excellent
food and buy Mount Evans souvenirs while enjoying an excellent
view of Denver and the eastern plains. Unfortunately, it
burned on September 1, 1979 and was not rebuilt, but the rock foundation
and wall remain as an observation platform and a windbreak for mountain
travelers.
There are several attractions to visit on the mountain including
Echo Lake, Entrance Station, Sub Alpine Forest, Mt Goliath Natural
Area, Walter Pesman Alpine Garden, Lincoln Lake, Chicago Basin,
Summit Lake, Abyss Lake, Summit Parking Lot, Crest House, and the
Mt Evans Summit.
Today, Mount Evans is under the jurisdictions of three different
governmental units. CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation)
is responsible for the road. Denver Mountain Parks is responsible
for Summit Lake, Echo Lake and Echo Lake Lodge. The Clear Creek
Ranger District of the US Forest Service controls access as well
as responsibility for the Mount Evans Wilderness Area.
All 14 miles of the road from the entrance station to the Mount
Evans summit parking area (14,130) are paved. From there, you can
hike the last 130 feet (about 1/4 mile walk) to the top at 14,264
feet. After you have made this climb, you can tell all your friends:
"I climbed a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado on my vacation!"
Mount Evans is Managed by the Clear Creek Ranger Station:
303-567-3000 (8:00am to 5:00pm)
Enjoy your visit.
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Jim T. Walters
5265 N. Academy Blvd. Ste. 3300
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Office: (719) 495-1745
Cell: (719) 460-0424
Toll Free: (800) 873-3303
Email: |
Copyright 2003 Broomfield
Designers & Jim
T. Walters
Colorado Springs Homes
Note: The information contained on this Colorado
Springs Homes website is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Prices,
Availability and other information is subject to change without warning.
Please check with your Colorado Springs realtor to verify information.
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