Colorado · Hiking

Drowsy Water

4.8 mi
round trip
2,155 ft
climb
10,081 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Drowsy Water open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Drowsy Water is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 4.8 miles on Forest Service land in the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. The trail rises from a low point of about 9,068 feet to a high of about 10,081 feet, with a total gain of 2,155 feet over the course of the round trip. The steepest stretch comes early, with a grade of about 21% at 0.23 miles from the start. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. At a nearby weather station at Grand Lake, typical July averages run to a high of 76°F and a low of 40°F, and snow days drop to zero from June through September. That station sits roughly 1,360 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. The hike is open from June 1 to November 15, and the trip takes about 2.5 hours. Bikes and horses are allowed, and the surface is natural. Mcqueary Ridge is about half a mile away, and Elk Mountain is about 3 miles off. For an overnight stay, Sawmill Gulch Campground is about 4.6 miles away, and Denver Creek Campground is about 6 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Drowsy Water

    Best months: June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 4°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 6°

      13 wet · 12 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      49° / 20°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      59° / 28°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      71° / 34°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 38°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 32°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      55° / 23°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 13°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 5°

      14 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Lake 1 Nw, CO, 15.6 mi away at 8,720 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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