Mountain · 2 routes

Howelsen Hill

7,173 ft · Colorado

Summit
7,173 ft
Routes
2 ways up

Routes up Howelsen Hill

  1. Lower NPR TrailEasyabout 266 ft of climbing0.9 mi round tripSee the route
  2. Orton TrailEasyabout 302 ft of climbing1.3 mi round tripSee the route
Compare the routes
Lower NPR TrailOrton Trail
ClimbingAbout 266 ftAbout 302 ft
Round trip0.9 mi1.3 mi
DifficultyEasyEasy
TerrainHikeHike
Map of the 2 routes up Howelsen Hill, with each route's start numbered and the summit marked
Lower NPR TrailOrton TrailMap © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap contributors

About Howelsen Hill

Howelsen Hill is a summit in Howelsen Park in Colorado, about a mile from Steamboat Springs. With the town this close, it makes an easy addition to a day spent in or around Steamboat. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Steamboat Springs weather station show July highs around 83°F with lows near 46°F, and September highs around 74°F. Winters are cold, with January highs near 29°F. The station sits about 300 feet below the summit, so temperatures at the top run a little cooler. Two trails start right beside the hill, each about a tenth of a mile away: the Lower NPR Trail for mountain biking and the Orton Trail for hiking. Climbers can head to Butcher Knife, about 1.2 miles away. For an overnight stay, Steamboat Springs KOA is about 2.6 miles off.

Forecast on Howelsen Hill

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Questions about Howelsen Hill

How tall is Howelsen Hill?

7,173 ft (2,186 m).

How many routes go to the summit of Howelsen Hill?

2: Lower NPR Trail and Orton Trail.

What is the shortest route up Howelsen Hill?

Lower NPR Trail, about 0.9 mi round trip.

Mountains nearby

More mountains in Colorado

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: May–Sep. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 65–83°F and lows of 34–46°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Steamboat Springs, CO weather station, 1.1 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan29° high5° low
  2. Feb34° high8° low
  3. Mar45° high18° low
  4. Apr54° high27° low
  5. May65° high34° low
  6. Jun76° high39° low
  7. Jul83° high46° low
  8. Aug82° high44° low
  9. Sep74° high36° low
  10. Oct59° high26° low
  11. Nov43° high16° low
  12. Dec30° high6° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

  • Howelsen Park · Public land
Nearest town
Steamboat Springs, Colorado · 1 mi

Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Best time to visit Howelsen Hill

Best months: May–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

    29° / 5°

    14 wet

  2. Feb

    34° / 8°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    45° / 18°

    11 wet

  4. Apr

    54° / 27°

    12 wet

  5. May

    65° / 34°

    12 wet

  6. Jun

    76° / 39°

    9 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 46°

    9 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 44°

    11 wet

  9. Sep

    74° / 36°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    59° / 26°

    9 wet

  11. Nov

    43° / 16°

    11 wet

  12. Dec

    30° / 6°

    14 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Steamboat Springs, CO, 1.1 mi away at 6,866 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.