Colorado State Highway 5


State Highway 5 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Colorado and 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. The southern terminus of State Highway 5 is at a parking lot somewhat below the actual summit, and the northern terminus is at SH 103 at Echo Lake.

Route description

SH 5 is short, slightly less than. 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 SH 103 at Echo Lake Park, about south of Idaho Springs, the nearest municipality to SH 5.
Because of its mountainous route, SH 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 is charged, though technically the toll is only necessary for the use of the parking lot at the summit between 8am and 6:30pm. As a state highway, the road is open to the public and free to traverse out and back.

History

SH 5's current routing up to Mount Evans was originally a part of SH 103; however, it was renumbered as SH 5 by year 1955.

Major intersections