Overview
Parry Peak is part of the big group of peaks you see from I-70 at Floyd Hill. From Fall River Reservoir you head north through open forest, climb Mount Bancroft's southeast ridge, and walk west along the ridge to Parry.
It is Class 2 on tundra and rock, without a trail. It pairs well with Mount Eva and Mount Flora for a three-peak day.
The round trip is about 5.4 miles with 2,885 feet of gain. The road to the reservoir needs high-clearance 4WD for the last stretch.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on Mount Bancroft by 10:30 a.m.
Nothing hard; steeper rubble below Bancroft's summit.
Easy. Head north through the trees to Bancroft's southeast ridge.
Very little on the ridges; bring what you need.
Getting to the trailhead
Fall River Reservoir
Leave I-70 at exit 238, just west of Idaho Springs, onto Fall River Road (County Road 275), the road to St. Mary's Glacier. At 6.6 miles, where the road makes its second sharp switchback away from the river, turn left onto Rainbow Road (FR 174.1), a gravel road that gets rougher as it goes. Almost all the land along it is private.
At 8.2 miles the road crosses to the south side of the river; there's a pullout and camping area here. At 8.4 miles it passes the Continental Divide Trail trailhead, with little parking. Past here the road is much rougher; only high-clearance 4WD should continue. Stay right at 8.9 miles (left goes to Chinns Lake). There are campsites at 9.4 miles and at the reservoir at 9.7 miles, where a gate stops vehicles below the dam.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Fall River Reservoir. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →