Mount Parnassus (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Parnassus |
|
|---|---|
Mount Parnassus, as seen from Loveland Ski Area
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,580 ft (4,139 m) |
| Prominence | 537 ft (164 m) |
| Isolation | 0.98 mi (1.58 km) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Parnassus
Location in Colorado
|
|
| Location | Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States |
| Parent range | Front Range |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Grays Peak, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking |
Mount Parnassus is a tall mountain peak located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. This impressive mountain stands at 13,580 feet (about 4,139 meters) high. It's found within the beautiful Arapaho National Forest in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. It's about 5.4 miles (8.7 km) west-northwest of the town of Silver Plume.
Contents
Where is Mount Parnassus?
Mount Parnassus is in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It sits just east of the Continental Divide. You can find its peak close to Interstate 70.
Nearby Peaks and Towns
A slightly taller mountain called Bard Peak is very close to Mount Parnassus. Bard Peak is 13,647 feet (4,159 meters) high. The closest main town to Mount Parnassus is Silver Plume, Colorado. Other mountains nearby include Woods Mountain, Mount Sniktau, Engelmann Peak, Robeson Peak, and Pettingell Peak.
Hiking Mount Parnassus
If you love to hike, Mount Parnassus offers an exciting adventure! It's about a one-hour drive west from Denver, Colorado.
How to Reach the Summit
Hikers can reach the top of Mount Parnassus by following the Watrous Gulch Trail. This trail starts at the Herman Gulch Trailhead, which is right off Interstate 70.
The Hiking Journey
From the trailhead, the round trip hike is about 7 miles long. Along the way, hikers will gain about 3,300 feet (1,006 meters) in elevation. This means you'll be climbing quite a bit to reach the very top!
What Was Mount Parnassus Called Before?
Mountains sometimes have different names throughout history. Mount Parnassus is one of those mountains!
Past Names of the Peak
- Mount Parnassus – This name was officially given in 1933.
- Scout Peak – This was an earlier name for the mountain.
