If you’ve been wanting to drive the highest paved road in North America this season but haven’t gotten around to it, you’d better hurry, as time is running out.
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway will fully close for the season on Monday, Oct. 7, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The state highway department , from Summit Lake to the summit — at 14,264 feet — the day after Labor Day, per agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, according to a CDOT news release.
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The lower 10 miles of the highway, from Echo Lake (Colorado 103) to Summit Lake, will remain open — weather permitting — until Monday.
Should you go, be prepared for cold weather. Daytime high temperatures on Mount Evans will be in the lower 40s into the upper 30s, according to the National Weather Service. Winds on the mountain this weekend will be in the 30- to 35-mph range, with gusts up to 50 mph, so make sure to pack some winter gear a thermos of hot chocolate for the ride.
Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is also closing to motor vehicle traffic on Monday. The road will be shut down through Thursday, Oct. 10 for road maintenance, according to the RMNP news release. The road will reopen to bicyclists, pedestrians and leashed pets through Nov. 30. Bicyclists and pets are limited to the road and should not use side trails. On Dec. 1, the road reverts to trail status.
