Now, I have driven to both mountain summits in the USA that have paved roads up to the summit- Mount Evans and the Pikes Peak…
Both summits are located in Colorado. Pikes Peak is located near Colorado Springs, and Mount Evans is close to Denver.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak, often referred to as “America’s Mountain,” is a prominent 14,115-foot peak in the Rocky Mountains.
The view at the top is spectacular. The best thing about Pikes Peak is it comes with all types of activities. You can hike up to the summit, you can bike down from the top via a guided agency, and much more.
If you want to start practicing hiking to a 14 thousand summit, Pikes Peak is the best option as it is close to the city, easily accessible, and the hiking route is beginner-friendly.
There is a train service at the Pike’s Peak. You can hop on the train and have a nice ride of three hours round-trip. You can check the schedule and purchase tickets from here.
There is a hiking route to the top and we saw a lot of hikers coming to the top that way. There are nice photos you can take at the edge rocks right beside the hiking trail. I took the following one.
Mount Evans
Mount Evans, another towering 14,271-foot peak, is a captivating adventure accessible by the Mount Evans Scenic Byway.
The highest paved road in North America, this scenic byway offers a remarkable drive that steadily climbs through picturesque subalpine and alpine landscapes.
Along the journey, you might encounter alpine wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep, adding to the excitement of the trip.
Well, it was snowing when we drove to the top of the Mount Evans Summit. One of the most scenic paved roads to the top. Unfortunately, we missed the view at the top because of the snowstorm.
Right before the summit, there is a lake named the Summit Lake. It was quite beautiful and there we found some nice hiking trails along the way as well.
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a 28-mile drive in Colorado that climbs over 7,000 feet to an altitude of 14,130 feet.
The byway is located in Idaho Springs, Colorado. The cost is $2 per vehicle with an America the Beautiful Pass and $12 per vehicle without.
You will need a timed entry ticket and you can purchase it from here.
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