Mt. Evans Wilderness Area

The 74,401 acre Mt. Evans Wilderness was created under the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1980. The north half of the Wilderness lies on the Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho National Forest and the south half is on the South Platte Ranger District of the Pike National Forest. Because of it's close proximity to Denver, two fourteeners (Mt. Evans at 14,264 feet and Mt. Bierstadt at 14,060 feet), and the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, which forms a non-wilderness corridor to the top of Mt. Evans, this Wilderness has a less remote feel than most. Despite this, the area offers glacier-carved landscapes with steep, rock walled glacial basins containing alpine lakes, and ridges of glacial deposits left behind as the ice receded. The Wilderness contains large areas of alpine tundra above treeline, as well as small regions of arctic tundra, which are rare south of the Arctic Circle. Unlike typical Colorado alpine tundra, which is dry and brittle once the snow recedes, arctic tundra holds numerous small pools of water. Ancient 2,000 year old Bristlecone pines, bighorn sheep. and mountain goats are common sights. Elevations range from 8,600-14,264 feet. Approximately 120 miles of trails provide access to the Wilderness.

Tours and treks, hiking, backpacking, family trips, and horseback riding are available with an America Outdoors outfitter in the Mt. Evans Wilderness Area.