| Watrous Gulch Variation Route |
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| Watrous Gulch Variation   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.72000°N / 105.8219°W Route Type: Hike Time Required: Half a day Difficulty: Class 1
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| Page By: Aaron Johnson Created/Edited: Jun 9, 2003 / Jun 16, 2006 Object ID: 158178 Hits: 2530 Loading... Page Score: 86.46% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachSee the GETTING THERE section on the MAIN PAGE.
Route DescriptionThis route initially follows the Herman Gulch/Watrous Gulch trailhead route on the main page. A steep and rapid ascent significantly reduces the mileage of the standard route, but the price is relentless altitude gain. Be in good shape!
Crossing Watrous Gulch may be a tricky affair during the spring. Old boards from a mining structure may be nearby that can be placed for a strategic crossing. They are frequently washed out of place during late afternoon runoff.
Just beyond the crossing is a downed sign, barely legible, for the Bard Gulch trail. This vague trail leads to the right due south and contours around Mount Parnassus to the Bard Gulch area and if desired, a very steep and long climb of Bard Peak. But that's another mountain and another day!
Go left on the main trail further north up Watrous Gulch. The route soon departs the route to the saddle described on the main page. Not far beyond you will want to leave the trail when an old burn area becomes visible on the slopes above and to the right (east). Angle up through this burn toward the top of the next patch of trees. Climb the steepening slope through some scrub and onto the steep west slopes of Mount Parnassus.
Climb directly east, gaining altitude quickly. You may or may not intercept a shoulder with some level ground, a nice place for a break. The tundra covered west slopes tower above you from here on, and the angle of ascent is rapid and relentless. At 13,300 feet, circle around a knob of rock on the left and then angle slightly to the right as you ascend the summit area, where the angle gradually gives way to a level stroll to the top.
Return the same route.
MILEAGES
WATROUS CROSSING: 1.2 miles
DEPART TRAIL, CLIMB BURN: 1.8 miles
SUMMIT: 2.5 miles
ROUND TRIP: 5.25 miles
GAIN: 3340'
Essential GearWINTER
Full winter gear mandatory. This is avalanche country! Proceed with caution using your informed judgement.
SPRING
Early spring should be treated as winter. Late spring ascents still require winter clothing and gaiters and waterproofed boots.
FALL & SUMMER
Standard dayhike gear will do.
Miscellaneous InfoIf you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
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Front Range (CO)
