Ouzel Falls, July 2013

Ouzel Falls is a nice waterfall. But it is the 2.7-mile journey there that makes this hike spectacular. The Wild Basin district, much farther south than the Bear Lake area, is refreshing for its (relative) dearth of crowds, rushing cascades, and majestic views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker to the north. Ambitious day hikers or backpackers may continue all the way to Bluebird Lake or Thunder Lake, which press up against the Continental Divide. But for visitors with only 3 hours to spare, the Ouzel Falls trip is a must-do.

See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In 1998, on our first family trip to a national park, I hiked with my father to Ouzel Falls on a beautiful weekday morning. 15 years and 25 national parks later, we returned again to Rocky Mountain NP, and this time my waterfall-loving mother was to give this trail a shot. After spending a Sunday morning up on Trail Ridge Road, we decided to risk the chance of afternoon thunderstorms and set off on the 2 ½-hour journey (though I recommend 3 hours).

Wild Basin Trailhead

Wild Basin Ranger Station, located at the terminus of a well-marked gravel road some 14 mi. south of Estes Park, marks the start for most hikes in the area. From here, it is 2.7 mi. and 950 vertical feet to Ouzel Falls.

Beginning the hike

2.7 miles one-way can be quite a bit for children or hiking newbies. Fortunately, there are plenty of distractions along the way, beginning with Copeland Falls, just 0.3 miles up the trail. At the lower section of the falls (denoted by a “Copeland Falls” sign) North St. Vrain Creek tumbles 5-10 feet into a pool. This is a popular destination for families with small children looking for only a short trip.

Lower Copeland Falls

Following a marked spur trail, hike 1/10 mile farther to reach Upper Copeland Falls, more of a series of cascades flanked by mighty boulders. If unconcerned for time, this is a delightful place to stop for a snack or picnic.

At Upper Copeland Falls

Continue off to the right, where the spur route quickly meets up again with the wide, well-maintained main trail. The first 1.4 miles from Wild Basin TH are quite easy, mostly flat with the occasional gently-sloping uphill. While predominantly forest-covered, the rocky path periodically abuts North St. Vrain Creek. At virtually every vantage point, the creek is roaring wildly over rocks and falling logs.

North St. Vrain Creek

After 1.4 miles, hikers are faced with a choice. To the right, an alternative route skirts the northern banks of the North St. Vrain past five campgrounds. Taking this option, one could construct a slightly longer loop (see map) to/from Ouzel Falls. This is also the most direct route to Thunder Lake.

Junction w/ route to campsites and Thunder Lake

To the left, however, lies the quickest path to Ouzel, via Calypso Cascades. Within 500 feet, cross North St. Vrain Creek. The rolling cascades here are impressive in their own right, a teaser for what is to come.

Cascades at North St. Vrain Creek crossing

After the bridge crossing, the trail noticeably begins to climb. About ¼ mile up, turn off at a large rock outcropping for a glimpse at the point where Cony Creek tumbles down a steep slope to meet the North St. Vrain.

Cony Creek meets North St. Vrain Creek

0.2 miles later, most of it an uphill slog, hikers again face an intersection. To the left, the Allenspark Trail leads 3.1 miles to Allenspark TH or 3.5 miles to Finch Lake. Best to save that for another day.

Junction w/ Allenspark Trail

This point also marks the best viewing point of spectacular Calypso Cascades. Photos truly do not do justice for this chaotic, multi-tiered torrent of water. Cony Creek here is almost deafening, passing under a bridge that offers the most direct view. This is Colorado wilderness at its finest.

Calypso Cascades

After sufficiently taking it all in, turn the corner to get another view of the cascades, this time tumbling down a slightly different slope.

Second view of Calypso Cascades

After Calypso, the scenery changes. Climbing the remaining 200 feet to Ouzel Falls (though it seems steeper!), the trail is now a couple hundred feet above the North St. Vrain and dips in and out of dense thickets of conifers. In the open sections, hikers can catch a glimpse of Longs Peak (14,259’) and Mount Meeker (13,911’) to the north as well as Meadow Mountain (11,632’) to the south.

Trail beyond Calypso Cascades

On the afternoon of our hike, the rain clouds were quickly catching up to us…or so we thought. The booming thunder kept us on our guard.

Storm clouds over Meadow Mountain

But with the exception of a short drizzle, we mostly evaded the storm. Rolling down from the northwest, the storm clouds dropped buckets of rain on Wild Basin Ranger Station, but we escaped scot-free!

More storm clouds

Skirting the edge of a ridge and crossing a couple streams, the final 0.9 miles to Ouzel are filled with “I can tell we’re almost there!” moments. Alas, one must always come back to the golden rule of hiking: you’re never as far as you think.

I swear I caught this same chipmunk 15 years ago…

Of course, finally the questioning pays off, coming to a point when you turn around a bend and correctly hear the roaring waterfall ahead. Ouzel Falls is most often viewed from a bridge crossing Ouzel Creek, though one is about 100-200 yards from the falls at this point.

Ouzel Falls at last!

A closer look involves a bit of off-trail work along the left bank of the creek, including scrambling over some rocks and through a couple thickets of bushes. Though a massive boulder (slippery, so do not recommend climbing) blocks part of the view, one can still undeniably capture the majority of the falls here in a photo. Here Ouzel Falls drops 50 feet off a rocky shelf, often forming modest rainbows below.

Ouzel Falls

Find a nice (and dry) rock with a view to take a break and grab a snack. On a weekend or a weekday afternoon, you are almost certain to see other visitors here.

Ouzel Falls and that darn boulder

It would be quite easy to spend hours exploring and relaxing by the water in Wild Basin. It is also extremely tempting to continue up the trail to the right toward Bluebird or Thunder Lake. But unless you have an entire day to spare and the energy to trek on, Ouzel Falls will likely be the terminus for your hike.

From the bridge spanning Ouzel Creek, proceed back the way you came, or continue a bit farther to complete the loop (more of a lasso) via North St. Vrain Creek and the campsites walk noted above.

Calypso Cascades on the way down

If travelling to Ouzel Falls, allot at least 3 hours for the out-and-back. For the “lasso,” tack on an extra 45 minutes to an hour.

Cony Creek below Calypso Cascades