A very special place! The last time I was there was way back in 2013, when it was still called Mt. Evans. I only discovered the name change a few weeks ago. While researching that, I also discovered some changes in how the area is managed, so I thought I’d publish an update. Here’s some info for your browsing pleasure on this highest paved road in North America:
- Wikipedia article with general information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Blue_Sky
- USDA Forest Service Page for the Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area & Scenic Byway: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28508
- Colorado Department of Transportation Mount Blue Sky page: https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/north-central/mount-evans
- US Department of Interior notice of the name change: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/board-geographic-names-completes-renaming-mount-evans
I went through my archives and processed / reprocessed several images so I’d have some you haven’t seen for this post. This first photo is near the summit. The color version’s here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrosack/34467852916/
Road narrows (Nikon D80, July 2007)The road’s a bit scary to drive and requires concentration, but I haven’t seen any news of automobiles accidents up there. There are a few guard rails in places, but not on most of the road. Going down was worse for me than going up. White knuckles and relief when we were finally done with the switchbacks.
Marmots are common on the mountain. This one was enjoying some sunshine on the side of the road.
Mount Blue Sky Marmot (Nikon D80, July 2007)You can catch lovely reflections and flowers at Summit Lake:
Summit Lake reflection (Nikon D80, July 2007)Mountain Goats are also common up there and they’re used to people, so you can get some pretty good photos of these sure footed wild animals.
Two young mountain goats (Nikon 7000, July 2011)I you decide to visit, please check the official websites for the latest information before you go. Reservations are required now and there’s construction planned that will block part or all of the road through 2025.
It’s a wonderful place – I need to go back! You can click on these photos to see larger versions on Flickr and you can view some of my other Mount Blue Sky photos in this folder: https://www.flickr.com/photos/edrosack/albums/72157627010365829/
On a side note: Lynn and I are just about done with our move. The new place is getting organized and I hope to get back out photographing some time soon.
Thanks for stopping by the blog. Stay positive, be kind, and take care of yourselves and each other. And if you can, make some photos!
©2024, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved
Love that shot of the two baby mountain goats. Great capture!
Thanks Jeff.
They were all over the area near the summit and sometimes very close – not worried about people at all. It made for some good photo ops!
Ed
Wow! That is an outstanding venue!
When visiting an iconic spot such as this one, with its incredible vistas, one does not often think about how an image might look in black and white. Thankfully, your experience has proven to be invaluable in trying something “different”. The b&w photos work very well. In some cases, even adding more drama to a scene.
Happy to hear the move is about complete. I know you will soon sit down in the new place and both give that big sigh of relief that it’s over!
Take care, Ed.
See you out there.
Thank you Wally.
I started with Tri-X film, maybe that’s why I like B&W. I shoot in RAW so I can always decide later whether to publish a photo in color or B&W. Sometimes it works and sometimes when I think it will, the color version ends up looking better to my eye. Part of the fun is seeing how it comes out.
Ed
Lucky you
Yes, we are lucky!
Spectacular views, I immediately started sweating when I saw that road – me and heights are not the best of friends. If there is a barrier up to my knees I am usually okay, but a drop off road…guarantee Linda would be driving and I’d be buried in the backseat ha. Marmots make me smile, but I can imagine they are a bigger problem than our local groundhogs – enjoy at far off places! Lastly, that shot of the “kids” is awesome. Not fortunate to encounter the younger ones yet on our travels and those are just adorable.
Thanks for stopping by and your very nice comment Brian!
That road is anxiety inducing, but the trip up is well worth it. The Marmots live mostly above 6,500 feet, so they aren’t as much of a problem as groundhogs. I’ve seen the mountain goats and their kids each time up there, although I was lucky that time to catch them posing where they were.
Thanks again!
Take me with you! lol I would love to go back out West. We lived in NM near the CO border for a few years…years ago. I know how beautiful it can be. I was just searching the Bisti Badlands. I don’t think I even have photos of them. Enjoy your week and thanks for sharing!
It is a lovely place Diane. I’d offer to take you along, but I’m not sure when I’ll ever make it back there.
I haven’t been to the Bisti Badlands and don’t know much about it other than the photos I’ve seen online. The landscape vistas there are so beautiful. Sounds like hikes there can be challenging. Jeff Stamer is a Florida blogger too. He has been there and written about it (if you’re interested): Jeff Stamer “Bisti Badlands” search results.
Nice hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!