Captain Mountain Trail
Follow the road through the Echo Lake Campground past site #10 and you will see a trail marker for the trail on the right. Hike near Beaver Dam Creek through spruce/fir forest and meadows to the base of Captain Mountain. The trail continues down through lodgepole pine and aspen to the Captain Mountain Trailhead.
From Lost Creek/Captain Mountain Trailhead, the trail gradually climbs through lodgepole pine and aspen forest to the shoulder of Captain Mountain. From there, it descends to Vance Creek before making a steady climb through thick spruce and fir woods, up the canyon of Beaverdam Creek, and to Echo Lake Campground.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Elevation: 8,796 feet - 10,611 feet
Trail is 8.9 miles one-way
Note: Mount Evans State Wildlife Area is open June 15 - December 31. Closed to vehicle access and all activities except hunting after Labor Day.
View a COTREX trail map here.
As of July 1, 2020, a valid state hunting or fishing license from Colorado Parks & Wildlife is required to enter Mount Evans State Wildlife Area. A Habitat Stamp is no longer required to enter Mount Evans State Wildlife Area.
A mandatory free self-issuing permit is required for the Mount Evans Wilderness. Free permits are available at each trailhead or entry point into the wilderness.
Dogs must be on a hand-held leash.
No motorized equipment or mechanized transportation.
Camps, campfires and stock, where allowed, at least 100 feet from water and trails.
Group size limited to 15 people and/or 10 pack/stock animals per party.
Processed weed-free feed is required for stock.
Getting There
Trailhead/Starting Points
Lost Creek/Captain Mountain Trailhead
Parking
Park at the trailhead area outside of the Echo Lake Campground.
Directions
From Denver, take I-70 west to Evergreen Parkway exit, go 6 miles south on CO 74 to Evergreen Lake, turn right on Upper Bear Creek Rd., 6.5 miles to County Road 480, go 3 miles right on County Road 480. Continue on road 195 to trailhead, on the right. Or take I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Go south 14 miles to the intersection of Hwy 103 and Hwy 5. Turn right on Hwy 5 then turn left to park at trailhead.
