The US Forest Service has announced that the iconic Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, formerly known as the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, will be closed for the entirety of 2025, with construction also impacting travel on the route during the summer of 2024. While this closure may be a pain for some, it will also make for a great chance to hike to the summit without the typical crowds.

Known for being the highest paved road in North America, stretching 28 miles and reaching an elevation of 14,130 feet after a climb of more than 7,000 feet, it’s no secret that parts of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway route have shown signs of wear and tear. Construction that will take place during this lengthy closure will presumably solve some of these issues, which can include uneven lanes, cracked roadways, and potholes.

By the time the road reopens – targeted for Memorial Day Weekend of 2026, the road will hopefully be a much smoother drive.

In 2024, the road won’t be closed completely as conditions permit until the regular seasonal closure, but there will be a temporary lane closure in the area of Summit Lake when construction begins either in late July or early August.

Once the full closure is in place, it will span from the CDOT gate on Colorado Highway 5 through the rest of the route to the summit, with the project area stretching past Summit Lake.

Hiking trails will be the only way to access the summit during the closure, which may make this an appealing once-in-a-lifetime chance to access the summit of Mount Blue Sky during the summer without much vehicle traffic with the exception of construction vehicles on the road.

One popular route that reaches the summit without the use of the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is travels over Mount Bierstadt and through Class Three terrain to the Mount Blue Sky area.

Read more here.

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