Mount Evans - Idaho Springs

Great mountain, much harder than the % grade; the altitude makes it the 5-6% grade of the last 10km feel more like 15%. And the endless switchbacks mess with your head, always wondering if ""this is the last one.""

My personal climb rating:

Did this mountain when I was travelling from Alaska to Colorado on a 3 months trip.So that means on a 100 pounds bike with carriers.I did have a wonderful day with sunshine.The climb means that you have to dig in your mentalsources because of the lenght and altitude.Above 4000 mtrs means shortage of oxygen.But if I am around this mountain next time I will surely do this again because it is a beautifull climb.(If you are in shape)

My personal climb rating:

Awesome climb (2008)! Arrived 3 days before from Ohio with two friends and had never done a climb more than a couple of miles prior to Mt. Evans. Ride about 3,000 miles per year with a lot of steep climbing mostly under a 1/2 mile. Our finishing times ranged from 2:46 to 3:19. We acclimated fairly well but had to pee every ten minutes! It was a great experience and the race was run extremely well!

My personal climb rating:

As mentioned before, the profile of the climb makes it look somewhat easy but the average grade alone does not take into consideration the weather, temperature & the extreme altitude. Couple this with a 46.5 km climb to the summit, this is a mother of a climb! Started from Idaho Springs in less than ideal conditions on the afternoon of Sept. 5. The temp. in Idaho Springs was 47 deg F (8 deg C)! The first 13.5 miles (22 kms) to Echo Lake at the mid-point of the climb was not that hard. Once past Echo Lake, the climbing felt more difficult, my speed dropped significantly & my breathing became much more rapid. It was another 14 miles (22 kms) of suffering to the summit, battling the cold, unexpected wind gusts (which almost at times blew me off the mountain) & most of all the altitude. The last 5 miles (8 kms) after Summit Lake are the hardest. The slope increases, the temp is near freezing & the effects of altitude sickness made it almost unbearable. At times, my speed dropped to 5 mph (8 kph). The most welcoming sight was the last switchback leading up to the summit parking lot -mission accomplished! Having done the Alpe, Croix, Galibier & Ventoux earlier in July, Mount Evans is as difficult as any of these climbs.

My personal climb rating:

If you look at the profile you might think this climb isnt very hard but youre mistaking. Considering the lenght and the elevation it makes it very very difficult! I think all Hillclimbers know what im talking about :-).

My personal climb rating: