Reservations Required for Mt. Evans?!?!?

Anybody else see that they are requiring reservations at Mt. Evans this year? This article mentions how it will impact people hiking the standard 2nd class ridge to the summit of Evans, but there is no mention of climbing or bouldering.    

https://www.outtherecolorado.com/news/the-new-mount-evans-reservation-system-and-how-it-could-impact-peak-baggers-this-summer/article_62f8d420-be40-11eb-808b-9b21e1ad7162.amp.html

https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087438?tab=info

Sure does look like it's a reservation timed/entry system for using the road with a car/motorcycle. I guess we'll see if sneaking in before the permit time - like you can do for RMNP will be tolerated. If so, problem solved. Is the entranceway usually gated after hours? I can't imagine so.

I know it's out of fashion, 

and a little uncool, 

but I don't think you need a reservation for Echo Lake

Long Ranger wrote:

Sure does look like it's a reservation timed/entry system for using the road with a car/motorcycle. I guess we'll see if sneaking in before the permit time - like you can do for RMNP will be tolerated. If so, problem solved. Is the entranceway usually gated after hours? I can't imagine so.

Entering RMNP before reservations are required isn't sneaking.  It's partly the goal of the reservation system: to spread use out away from peak times.

Mark E Dixon wrote:

I know it's out of fashion, 

and a little uncool, 

but I don't think you need a reservation for Echo Lake

You’re correct about Echo Lake, but I can’t think of backup options for the Lincoln Lake area. I’ve never thought about getting an alpine start for those walls/boulders, but that might be the best option this summer.

I guess I’m just bummed because I’m a terrible planner and prefer a more spontaneous approach to climbing.

I tried to call their offices in order to get some clarification on early arrival/climbing but nobody answered. I plan on calling Tuesday and posting my findings here.

Philip Magistro wrote:

Entering RMNP before reservations are required isn't sneaking.  It's partly the goal of the reservation system: to spread use out away from peak times.

It is when you don’t pay the actual Park fee, but I don’t know anything about that *whistles*

Long Ranger wrote:

It is when you don’t pay the actual Park fee, but I don’t know anything about that *whistles*

If you don't have a park pass, is entering the park by happenstance after the entrance booth is closed, and there is no way to pay at that moment in time, a crime? I doubt it but perhaps. Many parks, like Yellowstone, stop outgoing cars and ask for proof of payment or park pass. They don't ticket you if you came in after hours and didn't pay. They get you on the way out.

Park fees discourage enough people from visiting as it is. The new reservation system is another dagger in the backs of many Americans. Not a whole lot of sympathy for the NPS if someone enters an OPEN park after normal business hours and the park misses out on a few bucks. The feds blow billions down the drain as it is. But, of course, nice to support the resources we use and enjoy.

Teton Climber wrote:

But again, I guess we'll see if you can just get in without a reservation if it's before a specific time, or if they'll be closing the gate. I doubt that will happen, but I can't be too sure.

Long Ranger wrote:

It is when you don’t pay the actual Park fee...

Sure.  The Park is definitely trying to encourage folks to buy passes even when entering via a closed entrance station or area that isn't staffed.  No one currently will give you a hard time for entering those areas or during those times without a pass. 

That said, much of the seasonal staff (including all of the technical rescue specialists) at RMNP are funded wholly or in part from entrance fees.  So if you care about interpretative programs, maintenance, and search and rescue, I would encourage you to just buy an annual pass from RMNP.  Then there certainly is no sneaking.

I've called many times and haven't gotten an answer. I utilized the number listed on rec.gov. If anyone has any luck please post here. 

Permits go live tomorrow so we'll be able to see what the first available time slot is so we can all avoid it and use the road without the hassle. 

No offence to anyone, but if this is a surprise, people aren't paying attention. RMNP, Evans, Brainard Lake, Eldo, Yosemite, Red Rocks (NV), etc... 

Looks like reservations are not needed before 8 am. Just pay at the self serve kiosk and pebble wrestle away!

Long Ranger wrote:

Looks like reservations are not needed before 8 am. Just pay at the self serve kiosk and pebble wrestle away!

This is great news.  Out of curiosity, where did you hear this?

Relayed from someone who talked to a ranger via a phone call. I'm sure more confirmation will be gotten when things are running correctly this weekend(?)

apparently our tax dollars were spent on an awesome system that crashed for opening day. but if you do go to https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087438 you can see the passes start at 8am. 

Trevor stuart wrote:

apparently our tax dollars were spent on an awesome system that crashed for opening day

In fairness to the federal gov't, the awesome system in question (recreation.gov) is run by a private-sector contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, and it's funded out of the reservation fees they collect.

Martin le Roux wrote:

In fairness to the federal gov't, the awesome system in question (recreation.gov) is run by a private-sector contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, and it's funded out of the reservation fees they collect.

In fairness, the feds should pick better contractors. That portal sucks, imo. Been a work in progess too long. Miss the First-come, First-served -no reservation needed- for a small percentage of the stuff.

TBH it doesn't seem too bad.  I got passes for a week and a half out and there were still slots for every time starting this Sunday so I don't think this system is getting flooded, at least not yet.  And I don't think it will get flooded if it's going to be anything like another reservation system I saw.  When Enchanted Rock SP in Texas went to reservations people were snaggin those up for usually two weeks out.

Any update on this? Want to climb there this weekend or perhaps early next week. I see reservations for 8am, but I'd be wanting to get a pre-dawn start. Do I need a permit even still? Or can I just roll in? 

If you enter before 8 am or after 6:30 pm, you don’t need to pay the entry fee and no one will be at the guard station. However, if you park in a fee area and you do not have a pass, you will likely get a ticket.