MOUNT BLUE SKY — Out of every state in the country, Colorado is home to the most 14ers, with 53 total peaks. The next state to come close to us is Alaska, with 29 registered 14ers. In other words, we are certainly known for an abundance of towering mountains in this state. 

Although by this time of year you must be an expert level mountain climber to even think about trying to reach the top of any of our 14ers, it seems an appropriate time to highlight Mount Blue Sky, formerly known as Mount Evans. 

In November we recognize Native American Heritage Month—a time to remember that there was a deep and rich culture of people who roamed the entirety of this land before foreigners came and took it from them and tried to erase their way of life.  It is also the time to further our knowledge of all the culturally diverse Tribal Nations today.

The significance in the name change for Mount Blue Sky comes from former Governor of Colorado, John Evans and his connection with the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Under Evans' command, American troops brutally murdered the peaceful Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples, even after raising a peace flag given to them by the American people. 

The raising of this flag was supposed to protect them. Instead, innocent men and non-combatant women, children, and elderly were murdered, thus ending any level of trust between indigenous and white American people. A true scar on American history.

It is no surprise that the name Mount Evans was an offensive and cruel choice in the eyes of many local indigenous parties. Tribal members and the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory suggested that it be named Mount Blue Sky, as the Arapaho are known as the “Blue Sky People,” and the Cheyenne actually hold ceremonies with the same name. The name was officially changed on September 15, 2023.

The land surrounding the Mount Blue Sky trail is truly magnificent. Vast views stretch on to what seems like the end of the Earth. The blue lake that sits at the base of the trail shimmers like glitter underneath the Colorado sun. 

High alpine shrubs and flowers splash color all throughout the tumbling rocks that you traverse to get to the top. Pikas squeak and the wind howls all around you. It’s hard not to wonder how much of this kind of pristine nature would still exist had we not stolen land from the indigenous peoples of America. 

Summit Lake glistens in the Colorado sun.

Photo by Brittney Wagner

One of the nice things about Mount Blue Sky is that it’s one of the two 14ers in Colorado you can also actually drive to the top of, from late spring to early fall, making it accessible to all who desire to see what it looks like on the top of the world.  You can access the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway from Memorial Day through Labor Day from Idaho Springs, by way of Highway 103.

If you are one of the lucky people to get to make it to the top of this natural wonder, I hope you will take a moment to pay respects to the Cheyenne and Arapaho people, as well as all indigenous peoples who came before us. It is because of their perseverance alone that their culture still lives on in the modern world, despite all odds.