I love waterfalls! That being the case, it is high time to seek them out in Colorado. This exploration will be in the eastern and central San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Covering about 1/8 of the state (over 12,000 sq. miles), the San Juans are high, rugged, and gorgeous. Our seven-waterfalls-in-five-days journey begins in South Fork and continues with a stay in Lake City. Let’s go see our first falls a short drive from South Fork. Treasure Falls is a must see!
From the parking area on US-160, it is a short walk to 105-foot Treasure Falls. The walk is 1/4 mile (one lap around the football field’s track) with an elevation gain of 300 feet (30 story building). Get ready to huff and puff; here we go. The overlook, Misty Deck, takes us very close to the bottom of the falls. The mist is great for cooling down on a hot day. A bit lower from the overlook is a footbridge over Falls Creek and a good view of the falls. It is clear I need a wide-angle lens next time. No idea we’d be so close to the falls. Well, a second visit one day will be a joy.
Heading up CO-149, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, we will explore Lower South and North Clear Creek Falls. The trailhead is at road’s end in Bristol Head Campground. Both falls are on this trail. We’ll start on the right fork to Lower South falls which drops 30-40 feet into a narrow canyon. Since I don’t like standing on the edge of anything, this picture will have to do.
Oh look, over there. It is a path that takes us to the top of the falls. Let’s have a look.
Returning to the trail’s fork, we’ll head to Lower North Clear Creek Falls. With steep walls, a deep canyon, and my issue with heights, this is the best I can do. When it comes to heights, my wimpy-ness rules!
You may have wondered, if these are the Lower South and North, are there “real” North and South Clear Creek Falls? Glad you asked, it is where we are heading.
The short trail to South Clear Creek Falls is a bit gnarly toward the end–steep with lots of gravel. It is definitely worth the walk, just take your time!
The falls is about 50 feet high and from here we have nice cool mist relieving the heat of the day.
Five more miles and we reach 100+ foot North Clear Creek Falls with a well-maintained overlook area and hiking along the rock ledges and scenic higher points. This is an iconic Colorado waterfall seen on many visitor publications.
A surprise at the bottom!
Arriving in Lake City, there is no doubt that CO-149 is a scenic byway, with stunning landscapes at every turn.
We have two more waterfalls to visit. We will travel on Country Rd 20, the first 10 miles of the 65-mile Back Country Byway called the Alpine Loop. To do the entire Loop it is strongly recommended you have a 4×4, ATV, or other off-road vehicle. Asking around, the locals say the first 10 miles, up to Whitmore Falls, is fine for an SUV with high clearance. Well, I’m good to go with my Highlander.
Our first falls on the Loop is Nellie Creek Falls, five miles from Lake City. We will walk up County Rd 23 for .8 mile to see the falls. This narrow road recommends using a 4×4, and I can now confirm that this road is gnarly enough to walk let alone drive! Highlander safely parked at Country Rd 23 entrance.
The falls is 30-40 feet high and viewed through the trees and across the creek. It would be hard to get closer. I had read mostly mediocre reviews of the beauty of this falls. I don’t agree. What do you think?
Whitmore Falls is five more miles up the Alpine Loop, a dirt/gravel/rock road from start to finish. Although a bit challenging in places, the Highlander performed well-until now. Averaging 2-5mph for the last two miles, I almost quit a few times! I waved down a dirt biker to ask if it was much further to the falls. He said only two more turns in the road and you are there, don’t quit now!
Made it! This rocky road widens for lots of parking with a falls trailhead sign. Scanning the mountains there is a lovely waterfall cascading down the mountain, but that isn’t Whitmore. This unexpected surprise makes eight waterfalls.
Whitmore Falls drops 40 feet along Henson Creek. Talking with folks at the trailhead they showed me pictures of the trail to the fall’s pool and why they didn’t do it. The second half of the trail has 2-4 inch rocks on top of gravel down a very steep drop. No need to take a chance on falling, the trail to the overlooks offers good views. View from the “official” overlook is a bit overgrown.
Walking higher to the start of the gnarly trail I’m not attempting, much nicer view.
I hope you enjoyed our first jaunt to see a few of Colorado’s waterfalls. Until next time my friend . . .
