Colorado · Hiking · Near Idaho Springs

Watrous Gulch

Watrous GulchPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
4.3 mi
round trip
1,611 ft
climb
11,952 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Watrous Gulch 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.

Watrous Gulch is a 4.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 10,341 feet to about 11,952 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,611 feet, and is rated moderate. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Bard Creek lies just 0.3 miles away, and Mount Parnassus is about 1.1 miles off, making it easy to pair this route with another outing in the area. For an overnight stay, Mizpah Campground is about 5.2 miles away, and West Slabs, a climbing area, is about 5.1 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Mizpah Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 5.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    511 Rose

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rainsUser:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Hamill House Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 7 mi

    Historic house-museum in Georgetown, Colorado, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Idaho Springs

Go with a guide

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Bard Creek

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West Ridge Trail

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Torreys Peak

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1.72-mile climb in Colorado with 1,200 ft gain, steep and loose terrain.

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Mount Parnassus

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