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
Clear Creek County. This highway forms half of the
Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, running from the summit of
Mount Blue Sky 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 (or "park fee") is charged, though technically the toll is only necessary for the use of the parking lot at the summit between 8 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. As a state highway, the road is open to the public and free to traverse out and back. ==History==