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Of the many waterfalls that cascade down into Colorado Springs from the mountains above North Cheyenne Cañon, this is the tallest and most stunning. Starting in North Cheyenne Cañon Park, follow the closed Gold Camp Road for about a mile, bypassing the collapsed tunnels, to where the trail to the falls branches off to the right. It’s another 1.7 miles to a short spur to the left that leads to the base of the falls. This is a great place to cool off on a hot summer day, just a few miles from town. To reach the top of the falls, return to the trail and switchback up. This section is steeper on loose rock, and so more difficult than the rest of the hike. Enjoy the views and return the way you came.

Pro Tips

  • You might be tempted to just take in the falls from the bottom, but it’s only a 15-minute (albeit steeply uphill) hike to the top, with a panoramic vista well worth the walk. Hikers can continue another four miles up this trail to Mount Rosa.
  • The waterfalls in this area dwindle to a trickle by mid-summer, so April through June is the best time to do this hike.
  • The upper parking lot at North Cheyenne Canon can fill on busy days, so park slightly below at the Helen Hunt Falls trailhead if there are no spots.

    • Recommended season(s): Spring to early summer.

    –R. Scott Rappold

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