Mount Evans Wilderness: Arapaho & Roosevelt
Adress: Idaho Springs, Colorado
Cost: Free
About
Mount Evans Wilderness was designated by the United States Congress in 1980 and now spans 74,401 acres. Mount Evans Wilderness area includes two 14,000-foot peaks (14,264' Mt. Evans and 14,060' Mt. Bierstadt) and contains alpine tundra, bristlecone pines, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. Deer and elk inhabit the sub-alpine areas. Over 100 miles of trail provide access to the area.
The highest paved road in North America, Mount Evans Scenic Byway [http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/specialplaces/?cid=fsm91_058388], is the only road to access the heart of this territory. Mount Evans Wilderness is located west of Denver, Colorado, south of I-70 and north of Highway 285. The Scenic Byway, the 14,000 foot peaks, and close proximity to Denver all contribute to very heavy visitor use.
Always use Leave No Trace [http://lnt.org/learn/7-principles%22] techniques to help keep this area wild, clean, and pristine.