Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
A steep ridge walk ends at two cascades in a rocky gorge.
Overview
West Creek Falls is a 4.4-mile out-and-back from Cow Creek Trailhead at McGraw Ranch. Allow about 3 to 3½ hours for a steep climb over North Boundary Trail, a descent into West Creek drainage, and a narrow final path to the falls. It is a satisfying half-day if you want a real hike to a waterfall, but the short mileage hides a substantial up-and-down; you have to climb back over the ridge on the return.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the waterfall walk for you?Map & elevation
Plan your hike
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Rocky Mountain Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Rocky Mountain National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Rocky Mountain audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Cow Creek: The Hike to Bridal Veil Falls“Up ahead is Cow Creek Trailhead, the start of a half-day hike to Bridal Veil Falls. Allow about four hours for six point two miles round trip and roughly a thousand feet of climbing.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Rocky Mountain Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“…No cell service for majority of the day but had continuous access to the app - the maps, the tour guide as you drive is amazing. Highly recommend purchasing the subscription.”
Trail guide
Walk from the trailhead through the ranch access and turn right onto North Boundary Trail just beyond the cabins. Do not continue on Cow Creek Trail, which heads toward Bridal Veil Falls. North Boundary climbs through ponderosa pine and meadow to a small ridge, then drops steeply into the creek drainage. Filtered views toward Longs Peak and Mount Meeker open from the ridge and are easier to notice on the climb back out.
At about 1.3 miles, cross West Creek on the footbridge or log bridge and follow the creek upstream through meadow. Around 1.5 miles, take the left onto West Creek Falls Trail and keep left at later junctions. The path narrows and is worn near the falls, so expect to watch your footing on the final approach.
The destination is a two-tier waterfall tucked into a narrow rock gorge. The upper drop spills into a small pool before the lower cascade; each is described as roughly 15 to 20 feet. From the rocks, frame both drops and the gorge walls together to show how the falls fit into the tight channel.
The approach passes the historic McGraw Ranch buildings, once used as a dude ranch and later restored by the National Park Service as a research center. The restoration was completed in 2003. The buildings are not open to visitors, so use them as landmarks and stay on the trail access. Pets are prohibited on all Rocky Mountain National Park trails.
Wildlife
3,124 sightingsElkMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,601 sightingsMooseMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
19 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
19 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
30 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
270 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Rocky Mountain. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingNorth Boundary Trail5.9 mi · 5.5 hr · At the trailheadA hard ridge traverse opens to views of the Mummy Range.
ChallengingHusted Trail11 mi · 8.5 hr · At the trailheadA historic West Creek track with a long approach and fading tread.
ModerateBridal Veil Falls Trail6.2 mi · 4 hr · At the trailheadA 6.2-mile round trip from meadows to a rocky waterfall
ChallengingLumpy Ridge Loop10.6 mi · 7 hr · 2.5 mi awayA full day around Lumpy Ridge, from ranch meadows to Gem Lake.ModerateBalanced Rock Trail7.3 mi · 4.5 hr · 2.5 mi awayA steep Gem Lake climb, then Balanced Rock and Estes Park views.ModerateGem Lake Trail3.2 mi · 2.5 hr · 2.5 mi awayRock steps climb to a small lake tucked beneath granite walls.
ModerateBlack Canyon Trail4.2 mi · 2.5 hr · 2.5 mi awayA 4.2-mile out-and-back beneath Twin Owls and Lumpy Ridge.
ModerateMacGregor Falls Trail6.4 mi · 3.5 hr · 2.5 mi awayMeadows, granite creek cascades, and a slab waterfallSight · 1.4 mi awayGem LakeA small granite-ringed lake worth the sustained uphill climb.
Sight · 2.7 mi awayBridal Veil FallsA 20-foot waterfall beyond meadows, aspens and a steep rocky finish.
Visitor center · 3.7 mi awayEstes Park Visitor CenterA town-side start for local advice and the seasonal RMNP shuttle.
Visitor center · 4.9 mi awayFall River Visitor CenterGet hike and road advice before you enter the park.
Entrance station · 5.1 mi awayFall River EntranceThe staffed eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Campground · 5.3 mi awayAspenglen CampgroundWooded camping near Fall River Entrance, including five walk-to sites.
Visitor center · 5.5 mi awayBeaver Meadows Visitor CenterA National Historic Landmark that helps you plan the day.
Sight · 5.7 mi awayDeer MountainThe last steep steps open onto a wide Front Range panorama.Parkwolf’s Rocky Mountain ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
