Mt. Evans

Colorado is home to America's highest paved road.  I guess back in the late 1800's the road to the top of Pike's Peak (near Colorado Springs) was completed.  The mayor of Denver didn't want to be outdone and  so the road to the top of Mt. Evans was begun.  It was completed in 1927.  You can drive (or bike if you are really in shape) to the parking area at 14,130 feet.  Then you walk the last 130 feet to the summit at 14.264.  This was an amazing drive.  The road was very narrow at spots with sheer drop offs on one side and no guard rail.  Jeff was quite nervous as he isn't crazy about heights. :)  But the views were amazing.  Once you get past a certain elevation you notice all the trees are gone.  It's just rocks, dirt and grasses.  We actually noticed the elevation in being a little light headed.  I don't know how people climb Everest and live.  There is also an observatory at the top that has the highest telescope in the world.  Michael was determined to see the animals that live up there (mountain goats and big horn sheep mainly).  We didn't see anything on the drive up but we hit the jackpot on the way down.  We saw two different groups of mountain goats, one of which we got out of the car and walked right up to.  We also saw a group of big horn sheep but they appeared to all be females and babies....no males with huge horns.  (We did see one of those on the side of the road on one of our Utah road trips though)   Mt. Evans was an amazing experience.  One more mountain added to our list of ascents.  Definitely a fun Saturday activity.



View of Summit Lake from the drive up.





At the top.  I think the sun was too bright for Michael.




You can see the observatory behind us to the right.





There was a building at the top that used to be a tourist cabin with food and such. 
There was a propane explosion in the late 70's that ruined it, but some of it is still there.





The baby goats were so cute.




Throwing rocks in the lake.





Notice the purse.  You'll never find Annie without a
purse of some sort......even in the bathroom.