MacGregor Falls has change into certainly one of my favourite hidden waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. The Black Canyon Path meanders via previous ranch land meadows, alongside the fascinating Lumpy Ridge rock formations, and provides views of Longs Peak to the southwest. The falls are 3.1 miles (a method) from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. It’s a lesser-known hike with a quaint notation “falls” on the Nationwide Geographic RMNP Map. Discover the complete MacGregor Falls hike profile under for path map, driving instructions, and extra suggestions and particulars that will help you get pleasure from this journey in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
Observe: Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park now requires timed entry permits from Could twenty seventh via October tenth. See the RMNP permits web page for extra info.
Path Snapshot: MacGregor Falls in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
- Hike Distance: 6.2 miles Spherical Journey
- Problem: Reasonable
- Period: Approx 3-4 hr Spherical Journey
- Path Kind: Out and Again
- Beginning Elevation: 7870′
- Elevation Achieve: Approx. +460′
- Seasons: Spring via Fall, Winter Snowshoeing
- Canines: Canines Prohibited in RMNP
- Hike Path Map: Nationwide Geographic Trails Illustrated Map
- Denver Drive Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Driving Instructions to Lumpy Ridge Trailhead: Click on for Google Map
- City Nearest Hike: Estes Park, Colorado
- Magnificence: Waterfall, aspen, ponderosa pine, mountain views, wildlife: Abert’s squirrel, elk, deer, moose, bear; wildflowers.
- Actions: Picnicking, mountaineering trails, snowshoeing, horseback driving, backcountry tenting (with a allow), pictures
- Payment: Park Move Required
Parking & Trailhead Data for MacGregor Falls
The Lumpy Ridge Trailhead (also referred to as the Twin Owls Trailhead) is positioned north of Estes Park. It’s only a brief drive out of Estes Park on MacGregor Avenue, which turns into Devils Gulch Highway. This highway meets Lumpy Ridge Highway, which results in the trailhead and parking space round 0.3 miles from the intersection.
The Hike: MacGregor Falls Path in RMNP
From the Twin Owls/Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, the hike begins by heading west on the primary path that runs parallel with the Lumpy Ridge. This phase of path passes via the expansive meadows of MacGregor Ranch which is located on the base of Lumpy Ridge. Lumpy Ridge is a world-renown mountain climbing space; you’ll seemingly be capable of spot climbers alongside the gray granite faces of the cliffs as you hike. And sure, you’ll be mountaineering with the cows via this phase of the hike.
At about 0.6 mile into the path, hikers will encounter the primary path junction. The best way to MacGregor Falls is to the left towards “The Pear.”
On the second main path junction, the climbing routes path leads as much as the precise. The proper approach to MacGregor falls is to proceed straight on the primary path (see picture under).
The path will transition from meadows into stands of Ponderosa pine. Finally the path will arrive at a inexperienced gate (see picture under). This space just isn’t very nicely marked and a part of what makes this a lesser identified hike. I by chance continued on the primary path via the inexperienced gate and needed to backtrack right down to the creek. The proper route is to take a connector/social path that leads alongside the fence line to a mud highway.
On the dust highway, the best way to MacGregor falls is to the precise (West) and follows shut beside Black Canyon Creek. Observe that the signage right here may very well be knocked over. You’ll discover within the picture that the signal put up is leaning towards a tree. It’s also essential to be extra conscious of the terrain on this ultimate phase of the hike as flooding in recent times has carved away the creek sides and parts of the path. It’s conceivable that the dust sides of the creek might collapse if mountaineering in a extremely eroded areas.
Black Canyon Creek is gorgeous. When the water stage is low or average, you’ll be able to hint cascades which have been sculpted via the granite. I discovered these options as satisfying to discover because the waterfall itself.
The path enters a extra slender space filled with aspen timber, virtually a tunnel of inexperienced, and finally arrives on the waterfall. There’s a small cascade simply earlier than MacGregor falls that would simply be mistaken for the waterfall. The true waterfall is only a few yards additional up the path. MacGregor falls is a singular slab waterfall that’s funneled down at an angle, then crashes right into a granite wall, sending the water right into a second cascade. Watch out strolling round on this space as there are ruins of an previous water venture with sharp items of previous metallic protruding up out of the creek.
One of the best views of MacGregor falls are from the other aspect of the creek. Nevertheless, train warning on this space as a result of it’s steep and the terrain might be much more unpredictable when snow remains to be on the bottom.
Suggestions & Assets for Climbing to MacGregor Falls in RMNP
- TIP: Convey plenty of water and high-energy meals.
- A Higher View: To view the waterfalls extra favorably, the creek could be crossed provided that circumstances allow it.
- Path Map: Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park has a map to MacGregor Falls on web page 21 of this PDF
- Packing Record: All the time pack the ten Necessities. Obtain our Climbing Information to get record and dayhiking packing guidelines.
- Colorado Highway Situations: Colorado Highway Situations
- After the Hike: Notchtop Bakery & Cafe
Climate
Map & Driving Instructions
Click on for Driving Instructions
