The "Sawtooth" from Guanella Pass
Containing 74 thousand acres, the Mt. Evans Wilderness area is one of the smaller parcels of wilderness in the Rocky Mountains. Albeit small, the wilderness area receives significant visitor numbers due to the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway. (The road is not included within the wilderness boundary.)
Because of two fourteen thousand foot peaks (Mt. Evans, Bierstadt), proximity to the large cities of Colorado, and the ease of access via a paved road, the wilderness is heavily visited in the summer months. The wilderness contains rare high altitude arctic tundra, spruce-lodgepole pine forests, and bristlecone pines in high altitude locations. Granite cirques, several small lakes, and scenic views characterize the wilderness.
How to Get There
The Mt. Evans Scenic Byway follows a non-wilderness corridor right into the heart of the wilderness. The road itself and Mt. Evans’ summit is on non-wilderness land, the land on either side of it is within the wilderness boundaries. To get there, exit I-70 in Idaho Springs (Colorado) at mile marker 240, CO-143 & Mt. Evans Scenic Byway.
An alternative is the Guanella Pass Road (CO Road 381) that passes over Guanella Pass just west of the wilderness boundary. From Georgetown, Colorado, head south on Rose Street until the 2nd St. intersection. Make a left onto 2nd Street/CO-381. Follow the switch backs to the pass summit. The Georgetown side of the pass has been closed below the pass due to rock-fall repairs.
The pass can also be accessed from the south side by following Hwy 285 from Bailey, CO to the junction of Hwy 285 and Guanella Pass Rd. in Grant, CO.
Note that the highest portions of Guanella Pass Road and the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway are closed in the winter months due to snow.
Maps
The Trails Illustrated # 104 Idaho Springs / Loveland Pass map is an excellent resource for planning hikes, or backcountry ski trips.
Available online from National Geographic ($12.95) and local retailer REI.
Nearby Wilderness Areas
Lost Creek Wilderness