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| Fern Falls is a roaring respite along the trail to Fern Lake. NPS photo |
Among the park’s best falls and the trails to see them are:
• Adams Falls – Rainbows shine through the 55-foot-high falls’ mist during the early morning hours. Adams Falls sits at the end of a 0.6 miles round trip in-and-out trail. Use the East Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake.
• Alberta Falls – The 1.4-mile out-and-back Alberta Falls Trail heads through lush green woodland on its way to this popular 25-foot waterfall. Pick up the trail at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead parking lot.
• Bridal Veil Falls – A 6.4-miles round trip hike heads past historic McGraw Ranch and through an aspen forest to the 40-foot falls. Start at the Cow Creek Trailhead.
• Cascade Falls – The wide waterfall offers flat rocks perfect for picnicking. The 3.5-mile hike through lodgepole pines starts at the North Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake.
• Chasm Falls – A mere 100 feet from Old Fall River Road, this is perhaps the most accessible waterfall in the park. There the Fall River cuts through a narrow gorge and drops 30 feet.
• Columbine Falls – The 110-foot waterfall is about 6-miles round trip from the Longs Peak trailhead. After Roaring Fork tumbles over the cliffside, it gathers in Peacock Pool.
• Copeland Falls – Two small waterfalls – an upper and lower that drop a combined 12 feet – are a short distance apart on the first waterfall from the Wild Basin Trailhead, a mere 0.8 miles round trip. Another 1.4 miles up the trail is the Calypso Cascades, which tumbles 90 feet over boulders.
• Fern Falls – The 60-foot waterfall casts a fine mist across the forested trail. Seeing the falls requires a 5.4-miles round trip hike on the way to Fern Lake.
• Horseshoe Falls – A long cascade waterfall, Horseshoe Falls can be seen from the Alluvial Fan Trail in a short 0.4-miles round trip hike. In total, water drops 250 feet here.
• Ouzel Falls – The waterfall drops 40 feet over a cliffside and across boulders. It’s a 5.4-mile round trip hike from the Wild Basin Trailhead; hiking to this trail allows you to also see Copeland Falls and the Calypso Cascades.
• Timberline Falls – Though a long day hike at 8-miles round trip, the effort is worth it, as the falls drops 100 feet with a great view of The Loch and the mountain valley. Use the Glacier Gorge trailhead.
• West Creek Falls – This is a great waterfall for those looking to get away from crowds. A spur off the North Boundary Trail, you’ll walk 4.75 miles round trip from the Cow Creek Trailhead to the 22-foot falls.
Learn more about the park's day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Rocky Mountain National Park.
