West Creek Falls Trail
Description:
The West Creek
Falls Trail begins from the North Boundary Trail in the Comanche Peak Wilderness
at an elevation of 7,964 feet. It climbs about 235 feet in .7 miles to West
Creek Falls at 8,199 feet. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to hike from
the Cow Creek Trailhead to the beginning of the trail. The trail tracks to
the northwest, paralleling West Creek about 50 yards to the north of it. It
travels through an open ponderosa pine stand with blue spruce and aspen near
the creek. There is plenty of access to the stream for fishing but no fishing
is permitted above the falls. You'll come the park boundary after about .4
miles. After another tenth of a mile, there is a sign prohibiting horses from
traveling beyond it. There is no hitch rack, but plenty of trees to string
a line between. From here the trail makes an easy climb up through some rocks
and back down along the stream. The falls drop over a solid rock wall about
15 to 20 feet high. Water ouzels nest near the falls and can be seen foraging
for food.
Features:
| Length: |
.67 miles (1.08 kilometers) |
|
Elevation Range:
|
7,964' - 8,199' |
| Elevation change: |
235 feet |
| Season: |
Jun 1 - Nov 1 |
| Difficulty: |
Easy to moderate |
| Use: |
Low |
| USGS maps: |
Estes Park |
| Trailheads: |
Cow Creek |
| Restrictions: |
No pets are permitted
|
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Directions:
The
West Creek Falls Trail is located in the Comanche Peak Wilderness and Rocky
Mountain National Park. It can be reached from the Cow Creek Trailhead.
Take Highway 34 from Loveland
to Drake. Turn right on County Road 43 and travel about 11.5 miles (3.5 miles
past Glen Haven). Turn right on the McGraw Ranch Road and go about 2 miles
to the Cow Creek Trailhead and the south end of the North Boundary Trail.
Hike the North Boundary Trail for about 1.4 miles to the West Creek Falls
Trail.
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