Wet Mountains, Mountain range in Custer County, Colorado.
The Wet Mountains are a mountain range in southern Colorado, with Greenhorn Mountain as their highest point. The range runs roughly north to south and features an ancient granite core, with older rock layers exposed at the southern and northwestern ends.
The range got its name from early settlers who noticed that it received much more snow than the surrounding lowlands. That contrast shaped how the mountains were known to the first people who moved through and around them.
The Wet Mountains are popular with hikers who prefer open ridges and backcountry lakes away from busier trails. The area around Greenhorn Mountain draws people looking for longer day hikes with wide views over the surrounding valleys.
Main roads run along the eastern and western sides of the range, giving access to the key trailheads. Once you move into the interior, elevation changes are frequent and trails become remote fast, so carrying enough water is important.
Although the range holds dozens of alpine lakes, most of them are not visible from the main trails and go unnoticed by the majority of visitors. Hikers who leave the marked routes behind can find stretches of water that see very little foot traffic.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
