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Squaw Mountain

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.2 (24)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Idaho Springs
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“A classic, easy-to-moderate road to an old fire tower above treeline, peak can be seen from Denver. ”

Rick Blair
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Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.5

KM

Out and Back

11,465' 3,495 m

High

10,895' 3,321 m

Low

570' 174 m

Up

569' 173 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This is an easy and short outing. The fire tower at top is fun for kids, and there are great views and big sense of accomplishment of at the summit.

Overview

Beginning at the first major switchback, this hike is a great route that combines easy to navigate (though strenuous) terrain with a manageable distance to create an excellent outing with big time rewards at the end.

Description

This route will lead you up a fire road, which starts near the Forest Service outdoor shooting range. Due to the proximity of the range, you'll likely hear shots fired at the beginning of this outing.

Follow the road up to the antennas and fire tower. Though you'll be navigating a road, this journey can still pack a punch. The grades are moderate and consistent from the parking area to the summit. There are amazing views of the Mt Evans area and the Indian peaks once you've reached the top.

For the second year (as of 2016) the Forest Service appears to be renting the fire tower for overnight stays, if you'd like to extend your stay.

Flora & Fauna

Wildflowers are abundant at various times, and mushrooms can be found in the fall. This can be Nordic skied and snowshoed in the winter.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

Shared By:

Rick Blair
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 24 votes

#1

in Idaho Springs

#709

Overall
  4.2 from 24 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
42%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Idaho Springs

#140

in Colorado

#709

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Photos

Sunrise past the radio towers
Jun 10, 2019 near Idaho S…, CO
Picnic table behind the lookout tower. Mt. Evans on the horizon.
Jun 10, 2019 near Idaho S…, CO
Squaw Mountain summit offers a great view of Evans, with Chief Mountain to the west.
Feb 17, 2017 near Idaho S…, CO
Fire lookout from below
Jun 10, 2019 near Idaho S…, CO
Traveling up to Squaw Mountain can be beautiful at any time of the year.
Mar 30, 2017 near Idaho S…, CO

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Weather

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Check-Ins

Sep 26, 2022
Garrett S
2.2mi
Oct 7, 2020
Katya G
Additional 2mi on access road to reach beginning of the trail 4.2mi — 1h 35m
Oct 4, 2020
Shireen B
Jul 13, 2020
Matt Culpepper
No rain, no guns, no guests! Eerie look down on Three Sisters Fire 2.5mi — 1h 30m
Jul 5, 2020
Colleen Thomas
Jul 4, 2020
Marilyn Stasinopoulos
May 16, 2020
Mark Andersen
including forest service road 3.6mi — 1h 16m
May 16, 2020
Erin Andersen
3.6mi — 1h 27m

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