14ers.com • Trailhead Info and Status (Echo Lake Trailhead)

Echo Lake Trailhead

Location

Front Range
39.65666° N, -105.5968° W
14ers: Mt. Evans, Mt. Bierstadt

Road Difficulty

0 (0=Paved, 6=Very Difficult 4WD)
2WD paved road to the trailhead.

Driving Directions

Take Exit 240 at Idaho Springs on Interstate 70. Drive south on Colorado 103 for 13.5 miles at Echo Lake. You can park near the lake (by the picnic area) or drive up to the Echo Lake Lodge and park in one of the parking lots near the entrance to the Mt. Evans road (Colorado 5).

Winter Access

Open year-round.

More Info

Parking: 25+ vehicles can park at Echo Lake Lodge or the campground
Restrooms: Yes, at the campground
Camping: Small campground near the lodge. Also some dispersed camp spots on the west side of Echo Lake.

Status Updates
2015-06-02 Posted By: Urban Snowshoer Info: I pedaled over to Echo Lake from Bergen Park today and dropped in for a cup of coffee at the local snack bar. According to the nice gentleman--I didn‘t catch his name--working behind the counter, CDOT expects to open the road to the summit sometime around late June. Apparently it‘s legal to walk or bicycle up the road right now; however, you probably--at least according to the source--would only get to about mile 7 right now.
2014-09-09 Posted By: JQDivide Info: The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) closed the top portion of the Mount Evans Highway - State Highway 5 - for the season on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at 8 a.m. CDOT closes the five-mile segment from Summit Lake to the top of Mount Evans (14,264 feet) the day after Labor Day, per agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. The remaining 10 miles, from Echo Lake (State Highway 103) to Summit Lake, will remain open until early October unless weather creates adverse driving conditions.
2005-02-18 Posted By: BillMiddlebrook Info: The Echo Lake trailhead is open year round. In winter, storms can cause CO 103 to be closed for short periods. CDOT usually gets it plowed soon.1/2