5 waterfall hikes worth taking a short trip from Denver
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado’s mountains offer some of the most beautiful hikes one could dream of, but with the summer heat, hikers might be looking for a trail with some kind of cooling attraction.
After a hike up the mountains in the summer heat, there’s nothing quite like the mist from a waterfall to keep you cool while you enjoy the view.
This 177-mile trail circles the entire Denver metro
Luckily, hikers are not the only ones melting in this summer heat. The snow that piled up in the mountains over the winter is melting, creating a bunch of hikes with waterfalls within a couple of hours of Denver that are worth making the day trip.
Boulder Falls — Boulder
It’s not exactly a hike — just a short and easy walk to get to the falls — but it’s close and convenient for many people in the metro area.
According to the city’s website, Boulder Falls, about 11 miles west of Boulder, is a 5-acre site of mining claims that was given to the city of Boulder for recreational purposes in 1914. The city said it is a good site for picnic groups.
There is not a trailhead for this destination. The city said visitors can use the parking area across Highway 119/Boulder Canyon Drive.
What activities do ski areas and mountain resorts offer during the summer?
Seven Falls — Colorado Springs
Seven Falls is another easy hike for most and still has a great reward.
According to the Broadmoor Seven Falls website, visitors can walk just under a mile along a paved road to reach the falls, which is sometimes referred to as the “Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado.” There are also small trails nearby that provide access to the creek that flows from the falls.
Visitors must pay to be admitted into the park. Tickets are $19 for adults, $13 for kids 2-12 years old, $16 for military and seniors 60 years and older, and kids under 2 get in free.
Continental Falls — Breckenridge
According to GoBreck, Continental Falls is the largest waterfall in the Breckenridge area.
These mountain attractions are only accessible in summer months
The Spruce Creek Trail that takes hikers to Mohawk Lake and Continental Falls is rated as hard on AllTrails. The 6-mile loop trail includes a 1,712-foot elevation gain and takes an average of three and a half hours to complete. Reviewers on AllTrails say it was a difficult hike but it was worth the reward.
The falls are on the way to the lake, so hikers have the option to cut the climb short without sacrificing the waterfall experience. There is a parking lot near the trailhead at the end of Spruce Creek Road, and an off-road path can also lead visitors to another starting point farther up the trail to make for a shorter hike.
Ouzel Falls — Estes Park
The hike to Ouzel Falls is inside Rocky Mountain National Park, which means visitors must have a reservation to enter the park before hiking to the falls.
Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system in effect
Hikers can get to the falls via the Wild Basin Trail. It’s a moderate 5.3-mile hike with a 984-foot elevation gain that typically takes about two and a half hours to complete, according to AllTrails.
Along the way, hikers will see and hear the North Saint Vrain Creek running along the trail. Plus, there are bonus waterfalls along the way, including the lower and upper Copeland Falls and the Calypso Cascades, according to the National Park Service.
Horsetooth Falls — Fort Collins
The Horsetooth Falls Loop Trail is considered moderately difficult on CoTrex, a state tool that can be used to find hiking, walking and biking trails in the Centennial State.
The loop trail is about 3.25 miles and has a 698-foot elevation gain, according to CoTrex. This hike can be shortened by just going to the falls and back the same way you came, however, CoTrex suggests taking the full loop to better experience the open space with less congestion. According to AllTrails, this hike takes about an hour and a half to complete.
Entry permits ($10 per vehicle) are required for many trails in the area, according to Larimer County.
Before you hit the road for a day trip with a hike, be sure to check the weather forecast as storms and excessive heat are always possible on a Colorado summer day.
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