Fall Creek and Little Cimarron Trails

Fall Creek and Little Cimarron Trails

A fine, diverse high-country hike that requires only a 5-mile car shuttle. The loop hike connecting the Fall Creek and Little Cimarron Trails is a compelling overnight hike that begins with open high meadows, passes over a high-alpine ridge on a good trail, and finishes with deep subalpine spruce-fir forests. The loop has the added attraction of requiring only a very easy 5-mile car shuttle between the two trailheads. The Fall Creek Trail starts at an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet, thereby giving relatively easy access to the central high country of the Uncompahgre Wilderness. Although there is enough climbing to feel like you’ve done some work on the hike, the final 9 miles are either flat or downhill.The hike’s total distance means that a very fit hiker could possibly complete it in a day; most will require at least two. A more leisurely three-day period works best for finding sheltered campsites with water sources, as you cross the high ridge on the second day. Hiking this route in two days will involve either one long day and one short, or camping high on the exposed ridge that divides the two drainages.

See all Hiking in Colorado