Colorado Waterfalls

Below is an abbreviated list of random waterfalls around Colorado. I tried to organize them according to their distance from Denver, starting with the closest. It may not be 100% accurate as far as distance but close enough I think.

1) Maxwell Falls
Located in Evergreen, one of the closest to Denver.

2) Boulder Falls
Obviously located just west of Boulder. Another quick stop along the road kind of adventure. Very short hike but very pretty and close to town.

3) Rainbow Falls
Located in Manitou Springs, just west of town. A very interesting short hike that is surrounded by colorful graffiti. Definitely a contrast of urban living versus natural water flow. This is a waterfall that is under a highway bridge.

4) Seven Falls
Located in Colorado Springs. This is a commercialized tourist attraction, as opposed to the others listed here that are free. Several falls. Pretty but "touristy."

5) Helen Hunt Falls
Located in Colorado Springs, the entrance is right next to Seven Falls but this site is FREE. This is a nice picnic spot.

6)Hanging Lake (probably THE most popular, and picturesque waterfall hike in Colorado!)
Located near Glenwood Springs. An ascending hike but SO worth it at the end!!

7) Agnes Vaille Falls
Located near Mt. Princeton and Buena Vista. A short and at times bumpy hike to a spectacular waterfall. Many campgrounds nearby.
 (Updated on 7/8/16: This trail is closed for now due to a fatal rockslide that occurred in 2013. Not sure if/when this will reopen. They have blocked the parking lot and posted no trespassing signs).

8) Zapata Falls
Located in between Crestone and the Sand Dunes National Park. A short hike and nice stop if you are in the area.

9) Rifle Falls
Located at Rifle Falls State Park near Rifle, CO. These you can actually hike to.

10) Treasure Falls
Located along Wolf Creek Pass down in southern Colorado near Pagosa Springs. This is more of a stop along the way kind of location but pretty.

11) Box Canyon Falls
Located in Ouray, CO. A really cool trail that meanders through some rock walls and waterfalls!

12) Bridal Veil Falls
Located near Telluride, CO. A very beautiful sight to behold! Not so much a hike...more of a remember-to-look-up when at the far end of town.

Drilling on a wildlife refuge???

I was quite irritated when I read an article by Erin Emery of the Denver Post, that they are considering allowing an energy company to drill inside the Baca National Wildlife Refuge....This refuge is part of the Sand Dunes National Monument, which I have posted about before. According to the article, there are places that you can't even hike on due to the fragility of the space...yet these people can freakin' drill on this land??? Go figure....Isn't there something we can do about this???

Excursion Of The Week.

(Photo by Patrick Myers)

Trip: Crestone, Sand Dunes National Monument, Zapata Falls

One of my all-time favorite trips will take you about 4 hours southwest of Denver into the San Luis Valley. As you drive through this magnificent valley you will see the Sangre De Cristo ("blood of Christ") mountains on one side and the San Juan mountains on the other. This drive really makes me feel like I am in the Old West... a classic shot of a dusty, rugged and majestic landscape all around.

The destination is twofold: the city of Crestone and then further down the road to the Sand Dunes National Monument.

About Crestone:

The little town of Crestone is mainly made up of a community of New Agers, as some call this area the "crown chakra". I come to Crestone to hike and camp at the North Crestone Creek Campground. This campground is tucked away at the edge of the Rio Grande National Forest. The campsites lie just beside the creek, under a canopy of trees. There is a huge rock wall on the opposite side of the creek that makes for a nice secluded, niche of a camp. So, you can set up camp here and then venture out to some other cool sites not too far away. There are also a couple of hot springs a few minutes drive away...well...more like 20 minutes or so away....

Here are some more details regarding the N. Crestone Creek Campground:
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/menasha/cmp_colo.htm

Hot Springs Info:

http://www.joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/
http://www.olt.org/

About the Sand Dunes National Monument:

When I first moved to Denver I had never heard of the Sand Dunes before. Since I am originally from a beachtown, and used to seeing sand dunes, I didn't understand what the draw was....Being as how Denverites seem to make a big deal out of puddles; calling them lakes and such...I figured this was another exaggeration and thought certainly that these sand dunes would really be more like dirt piles....Ummmmmm....I was wrong--completely and totally w-r-o-n-g! The Sand Dunes National Monument should really be called The Sand Dunes Range! These dunes are massive! It took me literally 45+ minutes to hike to the top of a freaking sand dune! The tallest dune is over 750 feet! Seriously, The Sand Dunes National Monument is a spectacular adventure! Come see the tallest dunes in North America!

There are also several campgrounds nearby, including inside of the park. So, if you don't want to drive an hour between the dunes and Crestone than there are some other campground options.

Here is a link for more info about the monument:

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm


Zapata Falls:

There is a really cool waterfall that is somewhat inside of a short cave, near the Pinon Flats Campground inside of the park. There is a trail you can take up to the falls or you can access the falls from US Highway 150. Definitely check it out!

http://www.nps.gov/archive/grsa/zapata_falls.htm