Road Trip Guide: Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway

General Info

Because of snow, the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (Highway 5) is generally open to cars all the way to the summit only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. (The day after Labor Day, the road is open from Echo Lake to the upper Summit Lake through the first weekend in October, weather permitting, according to the U.S. Forest Service.) Online reservations are now required for timed slots. 

To "bag" this fourteener, head west from Denver on Interstate 70 for 32 miles to Exit 240 at the town of Idaho Springs. There is a National Forest information center here with maps and information on hiking trails and road conditions.

What to See on Mount Blue Sky

Echo Lake

Continue south on State Highway 103 for 14 miles, slowly climbing in elevation with new vistas in every direction until you reach lovely Echo Lake. There are picnic tables, hiking trails and fishing opportunities at this pretty alpine lake. 

Although it is 10,600 feet above sea level and 40 miles from Denver, Echo Lake is part of Denver's unique mountain park system. More than one hundred years ago, city officials realized that development was threatening some of the most scenic areas in the nearby Rocky Mountains. To save them, the city purchased land, creating a mountain park division that ultimately included treasures such as Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and Buffalo Bill's grave, which sits high atop Lookout Mountain. Today, Denver's Mountain Parks protect more than 14,000 acres of natural beauty. 

In summer, be sure to stop at the Echo Lake Lodge, an authentic 1926 log building with a charming four-sided stone fireplace. The lodge has a restaurant, bar, and gift shop and is known for their pan-fried trout. The Mount Blue Sky Byway starts at Echo Lake and climbs 14 miles to the summit. In just three miles, the road breaks above timberline. An excellent stop here is at the Walter Pesman Alpine Garden, where you can view 1,700-year-old bristlecone pines. These are the oldest living things on earth; in California and Nevada, they achieve ages of 4,000 years. They don't fare as well in Colorado because, ironically, the conditions are too good for them. The tree thrives on adversity in severe, windy locations.

Mount Goliath Trail and Summit Trail

Denver Botanic Gardens maintains a trail from here to Mount Goliath that winds across tundra, lined with alpine forget-me-nots, fairy primrose, purple fringe, chiming bells and spring beauty. They also offer guided hikes throughout the summer. 

Another good stop on the way to the top is Summit Lake. At 13,000 feet, this is also a Denver Mountain Park and a good place to spot bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats, both of which have herds on the mountain. At the mountain's top, there is a short quarter-mile trail to the 14,264-foot summit. At this altitude, there is much less oxygen and breathing is difficult. Although the trail climbs only 120 feet in elevation, it will seem like you climbed the whole mountain. Wear sunscreen, because at 14,000 feet, there is 50 percent less protection from the sun's rays. It's also advisable to visit and be off the mountain before noon to avoid common afternoon thunderstorms. 

The view from the top is simply incredible. This is one of the grandest panoramas in Colorado and much of the state is visible, from the Never Summer Range in the north to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the south.

It's possible to return to Denver on scenic Highway 103 east over Squaw Pass, creating a circle loop back to I-70 at Genesee Park, yet another Denver Mountain Park. At this one, a herd of 40 buffalo grazes in a meadow, with snowcapped peaks as a backdrop.

Know Before You Go

Tips for Driving Up Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway

On the trip, you’ll see incredible mountain vistas, two beautiful high-altitude lakes, a rare forest of 2,000-year-old bristlecone pine trees, and wildflowers that can only be found above timberline, or in the tundra of Alaska. You might even see Rocky Mountain goats or sheep.

• Temperatures drop 3.5 °F for every 1,000 feet of elevation you gain. From Denver, you will gain 9,000 feet, so be prepared that it can be at least 30 degrees cooler on the summit of Mount Blue Sky, where snow can fall at any time, even in summer. Dress in layers and bring jackets. Hats and sunscreen are also necessary since there is much less protection from the sun at 14,000-foot elevations.
• The road can get crowded on summer weekends. If possible, travel midweek and leave early. Afternoon thunderstorms can be dangerous. As a general rule, you want to be off the summit and coming down by noon. Cars are insulated and safe in thunderstorms, but hikers and bikers are not. At the first sign of a storm, seek shelter in your car.
• The road has almost no guardrails and there are serious drop-offs at certain spots. While it is certainly safe with cautious driving and while obeying speed limits, people who have issues with heights and don’t like roads without guardrails should know ahead of time that this might not be the drive for you.
• At the top, it is a short hike to the actual summit, which sits above the parking lot. At 14,000 feet, you will certainly feel the altitude, so walk slowly and enjoy the views. Bring lots of water on the trip, but avoid carbonated beverages, which do not sit well in your stomach with the huge elevation gains.
• On the way down, stop at the Echo Lake gift shop and reward yourself with a sticker, magnet or T-shirt proclaiming that you have summited a Colorado 14er!

Nearby Attractions

See a Bison Herd

On the way to Mount Blue Sky on I-70 west, stop at Exit 254 on I-70, where the city of Denver maintains a bison herd.

Go for Some Wild Adventures in Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs is the perfect spot to launch on a myriad of adventures close to Denver. Take a trip back into Colorado's gold mining history at the Argo Mill and Tunnel . If you're looking for adventure, Colorado Adventure Center  offers eight zip lines, an aerial adventure park with more than 60 challenging elements and, along with Clear Creek Rafting Co. , exciting rafting trips on Clear Creek.

Experience Georgetown, a Delightful Victorian village

Located west of Denver, Georgetown is a Victorian village set in a spectacular mountain valley with 200 restored buildings from the 1870s. The main street has shops and restaurants, and many of the old homes have been turned into antique stores. The Georgetown Loop Railroad operates in the summer months with narrow-gauge steam locomotives curling down a mountain ledge, at one point crossing over a 90-foot-high trestle.