EXPLORING MOUNT BLUE SKY VIA AMERICA's HIGHEST PAVED ROAD - see breath-taking scenery and wildlife

Mount Blue Sky boasts stunning views in all directions on a clear day including views of five fourteeners on a clear day such as Longs Peak, Mount Bierstadt, and Pikes Peak amongst others. The road to the top is North America’s highest paved road and although it is narrow with steep sides and very windy, it is nonetheless worth overcoming vertigo for. The drive to the top takes an hour or so to complete from the welcome station. The mountain falls within the traditional homelands of the Utes, Cheyenne, and Arapahos and some of the roads on the mountain follow ancient Native American trails. If you are coming to the park from Idaho Springs you will get a view of Echo Lake (10,600 feet / 3,230 m), the next place to stop after checking in at the Welcome Station is the Dos Chappell Nature Center on Mount Goliath (11,525 feet / 3,513 m). It is here you will see some of America’s oldest trees, Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pines. Some of these trees are more than 1500 years old. You can see the trees from the short loop trail. The trees can live for as long as 2000 years. Heading up the road you will get a break-taking glimpse of the Chicago Lakes and Gray Wolf Mountain. Then it is on to Summit Lake which is at 12,847 feet (3,915 m). If you are feeling adventurous you can take the 2.1 mile (3.4 km) Mount Blue Sky Ridge Trail to the summit from here. You might spot Yellow-bellied Marmots and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep here. Bear in mind the altitude is no joke so you need to be physically fit to take this path. Heading up the road the views are pretty hair-raising and as you reach the summit you are bound to see more wildlife such as Mountain Goats and small rodents called Pikas. Once you reach the top you can enjoy views in all directions, and take the ¼ mile trail to the summit. The summit is at 14,264 feet (4,305 m). Make sure you drink plenty of water to cope with the altitude and bring a warm jacket in case of inclement weather. Timed reservations can be secured on the Recreation.gov website https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entr.... (closed in winter due to extreme weather) Photos and video by Tanja Nayak Photo of Tanja Nayak by M. Nayak #fourteeners #mountbluesky #arapahonationalforest #coloradofourteeners