Mount Evans

Last weekend, we drove west of Denver to Mount Evans, one of the 54 14ers (Mountain peaks higher than 14,000 feet) in Colorado.

The road to the top is the highest paved road in the United States.

The views were amazing!

Although, I have to admit, on the way up, my prairie kids and I were freaking out as we peered out the windows and saw the steep cliffs and crumbling roads.

Mr. Mountains (aka Phil) played it cool and claimed he wasn't afraid, but I saw him gripping the steering wheel tightly whenever we met oncoming traffic on the narrow road...

Looking down on a lake.

We saw 4 kinds of wildlife on the mountain.

These Mountain Goats camouflaged well amongst the white rocks.

Watching a rain shower from above.

The kids at the end of the road.

Hairpin turns.

At 14,000 feet, you really notice the altitude change and the lack of oxygen left us feeling quite lightheaded. So rather than take the kids to the summit, I hiked up by myself. The tiny specks on the sidewalk are Phil and the kids.

Phil, not Mr Mountains anymore as he was definitely feeling the effects of hypoxia, gave me 5 minutes to do my summit climb. It took me 20 minutes to hike up, look around and make it back down to the parking lot. By then, everyone had adjusted to the thin air and was feeling better.

My view from the summit.

The marker, showing I made it to 14,265 feet.

The approaching storm.

The second type of wildlife we saw: Pikas

Pikas are related to rabbits and live above the tree line in the mountains.

Proof that we made it!

Had to get a shot of the Rotary marker for Grandpa Bischoff.

Bighorn Sheep, camouflaged amongst the rocks.

Looking right at us.

Running away. They are quite surefooted on the steep rocks!

The last of the mountain wildlife that we encountered: Marmots

We didn't realize how huge they were, about the size of a beaver!

The rain really started coming down when we left. I pity the poor cyclists who were still on the mountain, especially with the lightening. There wasn't much for shelter above the tree line...

The tree line is quite distinct, like a receding hairline!

The drive down the mountain wasn't quite as scary, now that we knew what to expect.

Charlie at the tree line.

The trees are quite stunted with their gnarled branches.

The wind sure takes a toll on these trees.

Charlie took a shot of me.

We went for a short hike along the path while Phil stayed in the car with the sleeping girls.

After the drive down the mountain, we went to Indian Hot Springs for a swim. Forgot the camera, so no pictures there. Then we took Oh My Gawd Road from Idaho Springs to the casinos of Blackhawk for an all-you-can-eat crab legs buffet.

I wonder if they named the road after the last words of the people who broke this guard rail. It was funny because I was complaining of the lack of guard rails on Mount Evans Road and when we saw this road, Phil commented, "Well, at least they have guard rails here!"