Colorado State Highway 5

"CO 5" redirects here. For the congressional district, see Colorado's 5th congressional district.

State Highway 5
Route information
Maintained by CDOT
Length:	14.89 mi[1] (23.96 km)
Major junctions
South end:	Summit of Mount Evans
North end:	SH 103 at Echo Lake
Location
Counties:	Clear Creek
Highway system
Colorado State Highways ← SH 3 US 6 →

State Highway 5 in the U.S. state of Colorado is the highest paved road in North America. However, this is not a through highway; it is simply a scenic spur route to the summit of Mount Evans, altitude 14,264 feet (4,347 m). The southern terminus of State Highway 5 is at a parking lot somewhat below the actual summit.

(The highest through highway in North America is Trail Ridge Road, the portion of U.S. Highway 34 that passes through Rocky Mountain National Park.)

Route description

Highway 5 is short, slightly less than 15 miles (24 km). It passes through the Mount Evans Wilderness. This particular state highway is quite unusual in that it does not pass through any cities, towns, or unincorporated communities.

The route is entirely contained within the county of Clear Creek. This highway forms half of the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, running from the summit of Mount Evans to the junction with State Highway 103 at Echo Lake Park, about 13 miles (21 km) south of Idaho Springs, the nearest municipality to Highway 5.

Because of its mountainous route, State Highway 5 is closed seasonally when snow clearance becomes excessively difficult, usually from Labor Day to Memorial Day. During the warmer months the road is open 24 hours a day. A toll (or "park fee") is charged to gain access to this road.

History

Sh 5's current routing up to Mount Evans was originally a part of State Highway 103; however, it was renumbered as State Highway 5 by the year 1955. The route was evidently paved entirely by 1960, however, the true date the route was paved is unknown.^[2]

Major intersections

Colorado State Highway 5 from summit of Mt. Evans

The entire route is in Clear Creek County.

Location	Mile	Destination	Notes
Echo Lake Park	0.000	SH 103	elevation 10,650 ft (3,250 m)[3]
Summit Lake Park	9.060	CR 60	elevation 12,834 ft (3,912 m)[4]
Mount Evans	14.894	Summit parking	elevation 14,127 ft (4,306 m)[5]
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

1. ^ "Segment list for SH 5". http://www.dot.state.co.us/app_DTD_DataAccess/Highways/index.cfm?fuseaction=Description&route=005&begRefPt=0&endRefPt=500&Printable=true. Retrieved 2007-05-12. 
2. ^ Salek, Matthew E.. "Colorado Routes 1-19". http://www.mesalek.com/colo/r1-19.html#5. Retrieved 2010-05-17. 
3. ^ USGS Topo Map: Idaho Springs
4. ^ USGS Topo Map: Mount Evans
5. ^ USGS Benchmark in parking lot