A Guide to Waterfalls in the San Juan Mountains
Nellie Creek Falls
near Lake City, Colorado
Description:
Description:
Even though the falls are smaller in size, I could still feel the power and roar of the water as it fell from one step to the next and down the creek beside me.
Even though the falls are smaller in size, I could still feel the power and roar of the water as it fell from one step to the next and down the creek beside me.
This is a two-tiered waterfall tucked away in the aspens on Nellie Creek Road/County Road 23. The road is accessible by foot or 4WD vehicle. It is .8 of a mile to the waterfall if you hike from the bottom of the road (1.6 miles round trip). If you continue past the waterfall, you will encounter two creek crossings and end up at the Uncompahgre Peak trailhead. There is a small parking lot and restrooms by the trailhead. There are also several dispersed camping spots all the way up the road. The road to the trailhead is a little over 4 miles.
This is a two-tiered waterfall tucked away in the aspens on Nellie Creek Road/County Road 23. The road is accessible by foot or 4WD vehicle. It is .8 of a mile to the waterfall if you hike from the bottom of the road (1.6 miles round trip). If you continue past the waterfall, you will encounter two creek crossings and end up at the Uncompahgre Peak trailhead. There is a small parking lot and restrooms by the trailhead. There are also several dispersed camping spots all the way up the road. The road to the trailhead is a little over 4 miles.
Directions:
Directions:
Drive from Lake City on HWY 149, turn northwest on 2nd street, then turn left on Bluff street and follow the signs to the Alpine Loop/County Road 20. Continue west on County Road 20 for 4.4 miles. On the way, you will pass the ghost town of Henson.
Drive from Lake City on HWY 149, turn northwest on 2nd street, then turn left on Bluff street and follow the signs to the Alpine Loop/County Road 20. Continue west on County Road 20 for 4.4 miles. On the way, you will pass the ghost town of Henson.
At the Falls:
At the Falls:
There isn’t really a place to park along the 4WD road near the falls, but there are some camping/pull off spots before you get to the falls.
There isn’t really a place to park along the 4WD road near the falls, but there are some camping/pull off spots before you get to the falls.
Click the pictures below for more!