Mount Parnassus (13,574′) | Arapaho National Forest
Dillon, CO | 06/17/21 | 7.12 miles | 3,273′ gain | YDS Class 2
The mountains don’t tend to follow our pathetic human calendars, so while true summer wouldn’t start for a few more days, mountain summer had already arrived in full force. Winter’s snow had melted, creeks were flowing, wildflowers were blooming, and thunderstorms darkened afternoon skies. My favorite season had arrived and it was time to move back into the high country for my weekly hikes.
I kicked off the summer with Mount Parnassus, an easy-to-access 13er just off I-70. My friend Tori and I got an early start in an effort to beat not only the afternoon storms, but the crowds that would inevitably descend upon the popular Herman Gulch Trailhead. We were on trail at 6:40am, behind a few early-morning trail runners.
We followed the Herman Gulch Trail for about 0.2 miles before reaching the intersection with the Watrous Gulch Trail. Herman Gulch is by far the more popular route, but we were heading up Watrous Gulch to access Mount Parnassus’ west slopes. These lower sections of trail traveled through lush forests carpeted with wildflowers.
The trail wraps around the mountainside, curving to meet and then follow Watrous Gulch. We continued along the creek, following the trail nearly to its end at the top of the gulch.
We soon crossed the creek on a log. Tori walked like a normal person while I crawled and cursed whoever picked this hike. (It was me.)
Once across the creek, we continued up Watrous Gulch for another 0.6 miles.
We cut off trail near treeline, aiming for Mount Parnassus’ grassy west slopes. Very quickly, we ran into another trail (not on the map) which we followed briefly before it turned the wrong direction, and we cut off again.
Once above treeline, the trails disappeared but the route was obvious – just go up.
The slope was steep but easy grass. After a long time and many, many breaks, I finally neared the top.
I’d considered adding Bard Peak onto this hike, but I was moving too slowly so we retraced our steps instead. Unsurprisingly, the hike down the slope went at least 3 times faster than the hike up. We soon reached the upper trail, which we followed back down to the main trail.
On the way up, just above the log crossing, I spotted an alternate bridge that looked quite a bit easier than the rounded log. (Arrow on the map.) It turned out to be mostly flat logs/boards that I was able to walk straight across. It took a few minutes to get back down to the trail, having to navigate some willows, but this was absolutely worth it.
The rest of the hike out was uneventful and we saw few people until we met back up with the Herman Gulch Trail near the trailhead. Everyone was heading up Herman Gulch (admittedly, this trail is also quite beautiful), but Watrous Gulch and the gentle giants that surround it have a lot to offer and shouldn’t be missed.
I would like to acknowledge that Mount Parnassus is on the ancestral land of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) and Cheyenne.
Chelsea
Colorado Chelsea 
Enjoyed your report. Great pictures!
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
Ahh, round logs over water, combined with being old enough to be afraid. Good call on the stream crossing going down, Chelsea. Looks like another great hike. Allan
LikeLike
I am a big chicken when it comes to stream crossings. A wet, round log is my worst nightmare lol
LikeLike
Your trip commentaries help me get through the cold, wet months. thanks much.
LikeLike
Thanks Allan, catching up on my old posts is really getting me wishful for summer 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wildflowers and distant views are something to look forward to, but we have to be patient for several more months. The sky pilot photo with Mount Sniktau in the background is stunning!
LikeLike
Thanks Tanja! I LOVE how that sky pilot picture turned out, definitely my favorite of the day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks like a great hike and I love that you have started to include the ancestral people that lived on these lands.
LikeLike
Thanks Laci!
LikeLiked by 1 person
(A) I laughed way too hard at your description of the first log crossing
(B) I have never seen white paintbrush before
(C) Sky Pilot!!
LikeLike
I think the paintbrush is just the standard yellow, but was just very, very light!
And creek crossings WILL be the death of me lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh TOO CRUEL to be posting flowers from June in mid-February. But they are lovely and I enjoyed them – and all your photos as always!
LikeLike
I know, I know. I am SO ready for summer to be here 🙂 Thank you!
LikeLike
Fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of a Sky Pilot. What a pretty alpine flower and a lovely picture of it. Can’t wait until summer! Maggie
LikeLike
Thanks Maggie! I’m dreaming of summer every day now.
LikeLike
I love all the wildflowers that you found along the trail. I like to arrive at the trailhead as early as possible too to guarantee a parking spot and avoid the crowds.
LikeLike
A lot of my wildflower pictures didn’t turn out, there were SO many! It was a gorgeous hike, even before we climbed up high.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful 🥰
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
You are most welcome ❤️
LikeLike
What a fabulous hike. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. Beautiful photos.
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
Your posts always make me want to move to Colorado! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this trip report about Mt Parnassus. I frequently drive between Boulder and Summit County, and have become curious about climbing Parnassus, Bethel, and some of the other peaks visible on the way, which don’t get as much attention as the 14ers.
LikeLike
There are a lot of great lower peaks in that area! Many of which are pretty straightforward.
LikeLike