Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Alternate route · West Ridge from Echo Lake
Overview
This route climbs Mount Blue Sky from Echo Lake, far below the summit road. It follows a good trail up the Chicago Creek valley, past the Chicago Lakes, and up to Summit Lake. From there it joins the west ridge over Mount Spalding to the top.
It is Class 2 and mostly on trail, but it is long. The round trip is about 17 miles with 5,600 feet of gain. On the way back you must climb about 400 feet out of Chicago Creek, which hurts at the end of the day. It suits strong hikers who want a real mountain day on a peak most people drive up.
Plan on 10 to 13 hours. Many people start in the dark.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4:30 or 5 a.m. The approach is long, and you are above treeline for several hours.
Turnaround
If you are not at Summit Lake by 10 a.m., or storms are building, turn back. You still have a long way to the summit and back.
Crux
The steep climb past the headwall between the two Chicago Lakes, and the slope below Mount Warren's cliff bands up to Summit Lake. Neither is hard, but both are steep.
Route-finding
Easy on the trail to Summit Lake. Watch the turn at the Chicago Lakes trail junction and the turn left at Upper Chicago Lake.
Water
Chicago Creek, the reservoir and the lakes. Treat all water. Nothing on the upper ridge.
From I-70, take the Idaho Springs exit for Colorado 103. Drive south on 103 for about 13.5 miles to Echo Lake.
Parking is by the picnic area near the lake, or at the lots by the Echo Lake Lodge where the Mount Blue Sky road begins. Both are paved and fine for any car.
Trail in the treesTundraTalus and screeRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Echo Lake Lodge 10,600' · 0 mi
The trail starts at the west edge of the lodge parking lot. Follow it west through the forest.
Watch for: From parking by the lake, go south past it to join the trail.
2
Chicago Lakes trail junction 10,650' · 0.5 mi
Join the Chicago Lakes trail and keep heading west and southwest.
3
Edge above Chicago Creek 10,700' · 1.2 mi
The trail reaches the side of a ridge with a view down into Chicago Creek. It then switchbacks down about 400 feet.
Watch for: Remember you must climb this on the way out.
4
Chicago Creek crossing 10,300' · 1.6 mi
A log bridge takes you over the creek to a dirt road. Go left and walk up it.
5
Idaho Springs Reservoir 10,600' · 2.4 mi
Pass the reservoir and a couple of cabins. At the road's end is a trail kiosk. Get a wilderness permit there, then enter the Mount Evans Wilderness.
6
Overlook above Lower Chicago Lake 11,550' · 4.1 mi
After more than a mile and a half in the wilderness, you reach a viewpoint just above the lower lake. The headwall between the two lakes is ahead.
7
Upper Chicago Lake 11,750' · 4.6 mi
Go southwest and south, weave past big boulders, and climb steep ground at the headwall's far right edge. Above it, walk a short way to the upper lake.
8
Mount Warren's west slope 12,100' · 5 mi
Go left over the lake outlet and take the trail to the foot of Mount Warren. Go up the steep slope, then take the trail south across it.
9
Summit Lake saddle 12,900' · 6 mi
The trail passes below some cliff bands but stays easy to follow. It tops out on the Warren-Spalding saddle, at Summit Lake's north end.
Watch for: Check the weather here. The rest is exposed ridge.
10
Mount Spalding 13,842' · 7.2 mi
Turn right at the lake and climb the west ridge route. The ridge goes up and over Mount Spalding.
11
Summit of Mount Blue Sky 14,268' · 8.5 mi
Follow the ridge east from Spalding to the top of Mount Blue Sky. There is a road and parking near the summit, so expect people.
Getting down
Go back the same way: down the ridge over Spalding to Summit Lake, down past the cliff bands to Upper Chicago Lake, then down the headwall and out the valley. Near the end you must climb about 400 feet from the Chicago Creek crossing back up to the ridge above Echo Lake. Save energy for it.
If things go wrong
From the ridge, Summit Lake is the nearest low point. Below it, the trail back down the valley reaches trees below the Chicago Lakes. The summit road near the top can be a place to find help in an emergency if it is open. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal.
Other routes
Every way up Mount Blue Sky we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
