With the closure Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway in September 2024 (for repairs/road upgrades) a normally congested 14er has become quite wild. Here's an option for a wilderness hike of a Front Range favorite. I hiked Mount Blue Sky via the Chicago Lakes trail from Echo Lake Park in July 2025. Here's some of my thoughts.
Overview of Chicago Lakes Trail to Mount Blue Sky
Mount Blue Sky (formerly known as Mount Evans) is a high and prominent peak of the Colorado Front Range. It is one of the most visible high summits from Denver proper. An auto road arrives near the summit at an 14,140 feet; it's considered the highest paved road in the US. Consequently, it is one of the more commonly ascended 14ers.
When the auto road is open, the hike can be a simple 0.6 mile trail with less than 200' of gain. Mt Blue Sky is often combined with Mt Bierstadt from Guanella Pass. The Chicago Lakes trail to Mt Blue Sky is one of the more arduous hikes on the mountain. However it's a lovely backcountry experience.
By my stats:
- Length: 15 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~4,900'
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Starting Altitude: 10,600'
- Lowest Altitude: 10,330'
- Highest Altitude: 14,267'
Here's my map:
Here's my Strava stats:
Trip Report
Trailhead to Chicago Lakes to Upper Chicago Lake
I parked at Echo Lake Park and was on the trail by 6 AM. It was an easy drive from I-70/Idaho Springs. Like most 14er trailheads, the Chicago Lakes trailhead was packed even at sunrise. There's no fees nor restrictions on parking.
The Chicago Lakes Trail to Mount Blue Sky departs from the southwest corner of Echo Lake Park and is well marked. From here, the trail hugs the mountainside and has lovely views of Mt Blue Sky and Mt Spaulding. Unfortunately the trail drops off 300' of altitude to the canyon of Chicago Creek. The trail intersects with a private dirt road ascending to Idaho Springs Reservoir. Access is public but don't deviate from the road until you reach the wilderness boundary at the far southern edge of the reservoir.
From the wilderness boundary, the trail gently ascends about 1,000' of gain over 2.5 miles to the Chicago Lakes. The trail is fairly straightforward and easy to follow. Between Upper and Lower Chicago Lake lie several informal backcountry campground. Its a little ambigous in some sections as the trail threads between the upper and lower lakes. At roughly 11,800' the trail reaches a clearing between the two lakes and is roughly 4.7 miles from the trailhead. I took my breakfast here.
Chicago Lakes to Summit Lake
From a distance standpoint, Upper Chicago Lake is the halfway point to the summit. But from an effort standpoint, it's more like a quarter of the way there. The trail takes a very steep turn as it ascends from Upper Chicago Lake (~11,800') to Summit Lake (~ 12,870') over about a mile. The views open up and take the sting out of the climb.
Summit Lake to Blue Sky Summit
I wanted to take the most direct option to the summit so I followed the trail to the Summit Lake Parking Area. From there, I walked about 0.5 miles on the road (empty due to construction) to the junction with Mt Blue Sky's northeastern aspect. There's no marking for the route but it's obvious if you're looking at it. The starting altitude here is 12,900'.
The climb from here is a bit of a slog but it's not technical. I just simply took the path of least resistance from the road to the summit parking area (~14,100'). Its a 1,200' ascent over 0.6 miles with a roughly 35-40% grade; half the effort of climbing Mt Blue Sky from Chicago Lakes is in this section.
Once I finally gained the parking area, it was a quick scamper to the summit. Its about another 0.4 miles and ~100' of gain from the parking area to the summit.
Once on top, I enjoyed the views and the near total lack of crowds. I'm sure this place is as busy as Pike's Peak on some weekends. With the road closure, there were just mountain climbers on the summit. Most had climbed from Guanella Pass and did Mount Bierstadt. I was the only hiker from Echo Lake/Chicago Lakes trail.
Descent Notes
The descent was mostly the inverse of everything just discussed. Going down the northeastern aspect of the mountain was as challenging as the ascent and took about as long. Similarly, the descent from Summit Lake to Upper Chicago Lake was knee-hammering.
From Upper Chicago Lake to Idaho Springs Reservoir was mostly pleasant descending. I saw three moose near Lower Chicago Lake which was delightful.
The final climb back up to Echo Lake from just below Idaho Springs Reservoir was a little spirit-breaking but it's only about 300' of gain. This trail is just plane difficult until the end!
All together it was a great day - always a bonus to have relative solitude on an otherwise very busy Colorado 14er. Maybe they should do extended road closures more often...
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