Mount Blue Sky: Summit Drive to the Top of the World

Mount Blue Sky, formerly known as Mount Evans, offers an unparalleled opportunity to reach the roof of the Rockies via the highest paved road in North America. Climbing over 7,000 feet in just 28 miles, the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway delivers you to an altitude of 14,130 feet, just a short walk from the 14,271-foot summit. The journey begins near Idaho Springs, winding through diverse climate zones, from montane meadows to subalpine forests of spruce and fir. As you ascend above the treeline, the landscape transforms into fragile alpine tundra, home to hardy wildflowers, ancient bristlecone pines, pikas, marmots, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. At the summit, breathtaking panoramic views unfold, stretching from the Never Summer Range in the north to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the south. The summit provides a unique vantage point to appreciate the vastness and beauty of Colorado's landscape. In September 2023, Mount Evans was officially renamed Mount Blue Sky, honoring the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. The Arapaho were known as the Blue Sky People, and the Cheyenne have an annual ceremony of renewal of life called Blue Sky. This renaming marks a step toward recognizing the history and culture of the Native American tribes who have long called this area home. Note that the upper portion of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is closed to motorized and non-motorized traffic for all of 2025 due to construction improvements.