Colorado Motorcycle Tour 1:
Short But Sweet - Page 4

Squaw Pass Road to Idaho Springs

• Continue on CO-74 - 3.0 mi
• Turn right to stay on CO-74 - 4.6 mi
• Turn left at Squaw Pass Rd - 5.9 mi
Enjoy the ride and sites along the route 103 Scenic Byway, visit Mount Evans

Leaving Evergreen, Colorado - Evergreen Lake

Evergreen Lake is popular year-round for fishing and boating in the summer, and ice fishing, skating and hockey in the winter. If you take a little detour left off of route 74, to continue alongside the lake and up the valley, we approach the public Evergreen Golf Course, and next to that is Keys On The Green, one of my favorite Evergreen restaurants. The Keys as has an excellent wine selection, and outdoor dining available during the summer.

Continue on route 74 to leave downtown Evergreen. Route 74 turns into a 4 lane highway west of Evegreen, with the speed limit starting at 45 MPH and eventually turning to 55 MPH before going back down to 50 MPH near Bergen Park. As you cruise along route 74, you'll pass a variety of stores, gas stations and a few restaurants, including a Safeway and Albertson's on your left and a Walgreen's on your right. Continue on route 74 as the speed limit increases to 55 MPH for a stretch and then goes back down to 50 MPH as you approach a pair of stop lights. The second stop light in the 50 MPH zone is the intersection of Squaw Pass Road (route 103) with route 74. Squaw Pass Road is a Scenic Byway, with 30 miles from Evergreen to Idaho Springs, Colorado at the other end.

Turn left (west) onto Squaw Pass Road/route 103 and start up the valley. On your immediate left you'll see Elk Meadow (formerly Mean's Meadow). If you're lucky you'll be treated to a beautiful view of herds of elk eating or relaxing in the grass. Right behind the meadow towers Bergen Peak, a protected mating area for the elk. The road alongside the meadow is pretty straight and the speed limit increases from 30 MPH to 40 MPH along the straight stretch. But don't get too comfortable; you're about to enter a long stretch of 30 MPH road with tight curves and limited visibility. I personally have seen 2 motorcycle accidents within these tight curves, so keep it slow and keep your eyes open. In addition to the other motorcycles, cars and bicycles using the road, you are likely to see elk, deer and fox as you continue up the valley. I have also seen bear, wild turkeys and coyotes along Squaw Pass Road, and mountain lions do exist in these parts.

Squaw Pass Road may be the most enjoyable ride that is close to Denver. The twisty road keeps the driving interesting while the scenery of this Scenic Byway keeps the ride fantastic. There are awesome mountain views around nearly every corner, and this route is also very popular during the fall when the aspen leaves change color. There are plenty of places to pull over and take pictures of the beauty. Approximately 10 miles up Squaw Pass Road, you'll enter Arapho National Forest and even better views. There are many public picnic areas in the National Forest, and it is often easy to find one that no one else is using so you can have a nice private picnic of your own. Each picnic area has simple bathrooms, available to the public whether you decide to picnic there or not.

As you continue along Squaw Pass Road/route 103, you will come to the entrance to the road to Mount Evans, and Echo Lake. Mount Evans is a "fourteener", one of number of Colorado mountains that exceeds 14,000 feet in altitude at the summit. During the summer, Mount Evans Road is open to the summit, where you'll find a truly incredible view and some interesting Colorado history. After Labor Day, the road is closed after Summit Lake, about 5 miles from the summit. Summit Lake is an excellent destination by itself; so if it's too late in the year to ride to the Mount Evans summit, you will still be rewarded by the beauty of Summit Lake. Eventually the snow comes and Mount Evans Road is closed completely for the winter. While riding your motorcycle along Squaw Pass Road Scenic Byway is free, riding up Mount Evans Road is not. However, motorcycles only pay $3.00 per rider for a 3 day pass, and there is no charge if you simply ride your motorcycle to the top and back without stopping. There is also a public campground at the bottom of Mount Evans Road, if you feel the need to take a break and relax in the wilderness.

You don't have to go up Mount Evans road to see beautiful sights. At the bottom of Mount Evans Road, Echo Lake provides fishing, hiking and picnicking for everyone. Echo Lake Lodge includes a simple restaurant, gift shop, information and restrooms next to the lake and the entrance to Mount Evans. Inside, you road can grab a bite to eat and a coffee or soft drink as you relax and enjoy the views. There are practically endless hiking trails near and around Echo Lake and covered picnic areas near the lake in case you wish to be prepared for inclement weather, as can happen without warning at these atltitudes.

After you have had time enough to enjoy the scenery around Mount Evans, it's time to head back downhill toward Idaho Springs, Colorado. Continue on route 103 past Echo Lake and the covered picnic areas on your left. Route 103 becomes especially twisty through here, with some very steep and dangerous cliffs which you can ride your motorcycle off of if you don't pay close attention. The views down to Idaho Springs are fabulous, but difficult for the motorcycle rider to enjoy considering the twisty roads. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to pull over and take it all in, take a hike or have a picnic. Eventually the road begins to smooth out with fewer sharp curves and the speed limit increase to 45 MPH as we approach Idaho Springs from the south. As you near Idaho Springs, you'll approach interstate I-70. Just before you reach I-70, there is a National Forest Service Station on your left. This station provides information about all National Forests in Colorado, as well as books and other items pertaining to the local environment, history and geology. A little secret for the motorcycle traveller: Even when this National Forest Service Station is closed, the bathrooms remain open and accessible from outside the building. Crossing over the interstate I-70 overpass, we enter the town of Idaho Springs, Colorado.