- Courtesy of Summit County
By Deb Stanley, Examiner.com
If you’re driving through Steamboat Springs, don’t miss Fish Creek Falls. The trail is just 3.5 miles from town and the “hike” is really just a short walk. A trek of 0.2 miles takes visitors to a 280-foot waterfall.
The trail starts at a paved parking lot with about 40 spaces (directions below). Before you start, you’ll need to pay a fee. Cash only.
The wide, dirt trail drops about 100 feet in elevation from the parking lot to a bridge with a view. The hike to Fish Creek Falls is easy, it’s downhill. Remember you have to hike back up after you visit the falls.
At the bridge, find a good spot and take lots of pictures. There’s the falls, the cascades below it and the historic bridge.
A trail on the other side of the bridge leads to the upper falls and Long Lake. The hike to the upper falls is another 2.25 miles with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain. The hike to Long Lake is about 5 more miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain.
If you’re looking for more waterfall hikes, check out my favorite waterfall hikes and my favorite waterfall hikes with little to no hiking.
Details: The hike to Fish Creek Falls and back is just 0.4 miles with 100 feet of elevation gain on the way back.
Directions: From Steamboat Springs, turn east on 3rd Street, then take the first right turn on to Fish Creek Falls Road. The trailhead is about 3.5 miles from town.
For more great hikes in Colorado and the west, click here.
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