Mount Parnassus (Colorado)

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)
Coordinates	39°43′12″N 105°49′21″W / 39.7199869°N 105.822509°W / 39.7199869; -105.822509Coordinates: 39°43′12″N 105°49′21″W / 39.7199869°N 105.822509°W / 39.7199869; -105.822509
Geography
Mount Parnassus 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 high mountain summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,580-foot (4,139 m) thirteener is located in Arapaho National Forest, 5.4 miles (8.7 km) west-northwest (bearing 288°) of the Town of Silver Plume in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States.

Mount Parnassus sits east of the Continental Divide in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The summit is located near Interstate 70. The higher Bard Peak, at 13,647 feet (4,160 m), sits nearby, and the closest major town is Silver Plume, Colorado. It is also in close proximity to Woods Mountain, Mount Sniktau, Engelmann Peak, Robeson Peak, and Pettingell Peak.

By automobile, Mount Parnassus is about one hour west of Denver. Hikers may reach the summit of the mountain on foot by following the Watrous Gulch Trail, starting at the Herman Gulch Trailhead off of Interstate 70. From the trailhead, visitors must hike roughly 7 miles (round trip) and gain roughly 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in elevation to reach the summit.