Evergreen Mountain Trail

Route Description for Evergreen Mountain Trail

The Evergreen Mountain Trail is a wonderful day hike in the Alderfer Three Sisters Open Space Park​. Near Evergreen, Colorado, this is an epic escape from the hustle and bustle of the state’s capital. This trail is a crowd-favorite, year-round, and it attracts outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts, so you will be sharing the trails. If you are seeking a secluded adventure, then we recommend heading out in the early morning to beat the crowds! Note that you are traveling through the Colorado wilderness, so be mindful of wildlife, including rattlesnakes, and keep your distance. If you are venturing this path in the winter months, we suggest trading your hiking shoes for snowshoes or adding microspikes to easily navigate the icy and likely snowy terrain.

The versatility of the terrain is a selling point to outdoor adventurers. If you are anything like us, we enjoy a trail that can be trekked year-round, and the Evergreen Mountain Trail checks that box. Hike it, bike it, or snowshoe it, the hike is beautiful year-round. Follow the rocky path through the verdant evergreen woodlands, enjoying the shade and well-signposted terrain, which is hard to come by in this area. Once you finally ascend the summit, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Front Range’s snow-capped peaks and even sights of Evergreen Lake and Lakehouse! Perfect for families and beginner adventurers, this trail is a must-add to your Denver to-do list.

Embark on your journey up the Evergreen Mountain Trail from the trailhead off S Le Masters Road in the Alderfer Three Sisters Open Space Park. From the trailhead, track south along the Wild Iris Loop Trail and over Buffalo Park Road. At the first intersection, keep right and at the next, stay right again, and you will be diverted onto the Evergreen Mountain Trail West. As you hike the terrain will gradually ascend towards the summit. Trek up the mild grade through the woodlands. Revel in the towering evergreen trees and breath in the fragrant fresh air.

Shortly after merging onto the Evergreen Mountain Trail West, you will be guided up through a set of switchbacks. Carefully navigate the winding terrain and be cautious of mountain bikers whizzing by. After completing the switchbacks, you will encounter another junction, stay right here, merging onto the Summit Trail. As you near the summit, the tree coverage will become increasingly sparse, and you should be able to see Evergreen Lake and the Lakehouse in the northeast.

Soon, you will summit Evergreen Mountain. Take a breather, stretch out those tired legs and revel in the impressive vistas. There is a short loop that tracks around the perimeter of the summit, which exhibits the epic Colorado scenery. From the west side of the mountain, you will be rewarded with sights of the Mount Evans Wilderness, including, but not limited to Mount Evans, Mount Spalding, and Mount Bierstadt. Appreciate the grandeur of the snow-dusted peaks that line the horizon and flank the lush vegetation below. From the east side of the mountain, you will be granted distant views of Denver. Enjoy the views, and when you are ready, simply retrace your footing along the path back to the trailhead.

Trail Highlights

Evergreen Mountain

Evergreen Mountain is a small summit in the Jefferson Open Space near Evergreen, Colorado. Sitting at 2,602 m in elevation, Evergreen Mountain is an unimpressive summit, ranking as the 3,283rd highest peak in Colorado. Though not the tallest mountain, the peak reveals expansive views of the Front Range snow-capped peaks, including Mount Evans and its neighboring summits. This epic mountain is a year-round crowd favorite, offering numerous outdoor activities such as mountain biking, snowshoeing, and hiking opportunities.

Insider Hints for Evergreen Mountain Trail

• Venture this path, year-round to enjoy varying perspectives of the Colorado wilderness
• If you are tired of quintessential hikes, try biking up to the summit
• When hiking up the mountain in the winter, wear snowshoes or microspikes to navigate the icy and snowy terrain
• Bring plenty of water, the short ascent to the summit will tire you