Blue Sky Ascent & Round Trip (formerly the Mt. Evans Ascent)
About this race
Although the air will be noticeably thin at the starting line, Echo Lake's 10,600 feet of elevation is just the beginning. The climb totals nearly 4,000 vertical feet - much of it above treeline - as you make your way 14.5 miles to the finish line located at the summit of one of the most recognizable peaks on Denver's mountain skyline - 14,264 foot Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mt. Evans). Learn about the name change by clicking here..
Be inspired!!!
Join us on June 28, 2026 for another memorable run.
Spectators will include Bighorn Sheep, Marmots, and Mountain Goats - maybe even a few people!!!
There are two options in 2026: The Ascent is a one-way 14.5 mile climb from Echo Lake the summit of Mt. Blue Sky. the Round Trip is just as it sounds -- you will run to the top, then run back down.
Pick your distance
Running
Ascent
Runners will start at the Echo Lake Campground, located at the intersection of Hwy. 103(Squaw Pass Rd.) and Hwy. 5 (Mt. Blue Sky Road). From there, the course climbs for 14.5 miles up North America's highest paved road. The course takes you through montane, subalpine, and alpine environments to the summit of Mt. Blue Sky at 14,264 ft.
Round-Trip
Runners will start at the Echo Lake Campground, located at the intersection of Hwy. 103(Squaw Pass Rd.) and Hwy. 5 (Mt. Blue Sky Road). From there, the course climbs for 14.5 miles up North America's highest paved road. The course takes you through montane, subalpine, and alpine environments to the summit of Mt. Blue Sky at 14,264 ft. They will then run back down the mountain, finishing at the Echo Lake Campground. FYI: You will not be able to switch from the Round Trip to the Ascent after the Ascent has sold out.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 5 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Idaho Springs, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 5:36 AM and sets at 8:34 PM local time (MDT) in Idaho Springs on June 28, 2026 — 14h 57m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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Other races near Idaho Springs
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
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The Keg Enduro
The Great Turkey Chase
All-Out Kooky-Spooky
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Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 7 Idaho Springs events
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