Never Summer Wilderness, a wilderness area in northern Colorado, is situated immediately west of Rocky Mountain National Park. Encompassing over 20,000 acres, the area features diverse terrain ranging from approximately 8,900 to 12,520 feet (2,713 to 3,816 meters) in elevation. Its landscape includes forested ridges, steep tundra, and numerous peaks exceeding 12,000 feet (3,658 meters), providing a varied environment for several sports like hiking and jogging. The wilderness also acts as a crucial watershed, with alpine lakes and old-growth forests…
39
Routes
4.1
(19)
Average rating
270
People visited

5.0
(1)
9
hikers
5.47km
01:30
130m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
38.0km
12:06
1,290m
2,030m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
1.07km
00:17
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
13.9km
04:14
740m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
runners
16.4km
02:18
620m
620m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
21.1km
03:09
1,010m
1,010m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
12.1km
01:38
360m
370m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
16.7km
02:09
360m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Never Summer Wilderness offers opportunities for hiking and jogging. The area features diverse terrain, including forested ridges and high-altitude tundra. Visitors can explore approximately 20 miles of trails.
Popular hiking options include the 16.2-mile (26.1 km) Bowen Gulch Trail, known for old-growth forests. The Baker Gulch to Bowen Gulch trail offers views and wildlife spotting. Routes to Fairview Mountain via Baker Gulch & Parika Lake Trails are also available. More details can be found in the Hiking in Never Summer Wilderness guide.
Yes, Never Summer Wilderness provides trails suitable for jogging. The varied terrain includes forested paths and gulches. Information on specific routes can be found in the Running Trails in Never Summer Wilderness guide.
Never Summer Wilderness offers trails ranging from moderate to difficult, high-altitude hikes. For those seeking less strenuous options, specific easy hikes are available. A dedicated guide for these routes is provided in Easy hikes in Never Summer Wilderness.
The wilderness features 17 peaks exceeding 12,000 feet (3,658 meters), with Howard Mountain being the tallest at 12,810 feet (3,905 meters). It also contains numerous alpine lakes like Bowen Lake and Parika Lake, and old-growth spruce and fir forests, particularly in Bowen Gulch.
The area is home to moose, which have been successfully reintroduced. Unique habitats in the northern sections support wood frogs, bog bean, and pygmy shrews. Trout are also found in the lakes and streams.
Never Summer Wilderness ranges in elevation from approximately 8,900 feet (2,713 meters) to 12,520 feet (3,816 meters). The landscape includes forested ridges at lower elevations and steep tundra at higher altitudes.
Yes, Never Summer Wilderness offers routes that feature waterfalls. Hikers interested in these scenic spots can consult the Waterfall hikes in Never Summer Wilderness guide for specific information.
More than 1,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Never Summer Wilderness on komoot. The available routes have an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars, indicating a positive user experience.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Never Summer Wilderness, Running Trails in Never Summer Wilderness, Waterfall hikes in Never Summer Wilderness, and Easy hikes in Never Summer Wilderness.
For information regarding Never Summer Wilderness, contact the Sulphur Ranger District in Granby at 970-807-4100. Alternatively, the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Headquarters Office can be reached at 970-295-6700.

