DIRECTIONS:

As you head into Ouray on Hwy 550, exit at the turnoff for the Ouray Amphitheater Campground and Recreation Area. Follow the road past the Campground following the signs for the trailhead.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

While Lower Cascade Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Ouray, due to the short easy hike from Main Street, Upper Cascade Falls is an altogether different experience. In order to get close to Upper Cascade Falls, you need to hike up a steep trail that starts from the Ouray Amphitheater Campground. The upper falls sees far fewer visitors and is one of the most spectacular hikes in Ouray. The hike is amazing, not just because of the falls, but because of the view across Ouray to the Sneffels Range, and the up-close view of the Ouray Amphitheater, and the falls…and the Chief Ouray Mine…

The hike starts at the end of the road that leads to the Ouray Amphitheater Campground and begins by traversing the lush forest. The trail quickly gains elevation along numerous switchbacks. As the trail climbs higher, the views get better and better. Eventually, the trail reaches the base of the cliffs so common the the east side of the Ouray valley. The trail continues by skirting the cliffs, with some treacherous dropoffs, before re-entering the forest and descending down to Upper Cascade Falls.

The falls crosses right over the trail dividing the falls. The readily accessible part of the falls consists of a cascade down a narrow gulch, the lower part, which you have to scramble around for a view, is a straight drop of 30 feet or so and very impressive. Climbing down the base of the lower part is treacherous and should not be taken lightly. The view from the falls to Whitehouse Mountain across the valley is awesome.

If you want to continue hiking, you can go explore the Chief Ouray Mine just up the trail. This section has some rocky ledges to navigate but nothing too hairy. There is an old mining shelter that you can walk through and apparently a second structure, though I didn’t go far enough to reach it. The views from the trail just beyond the shelter are some of the best on the hike so I strongly recommend exploring.

The hike back down follows the same route and revisits the same amazing views. If you are spending any time in Ouray or just passing through and looking for a birds eye view, you can’t go wrong with the hike to Upper Cascade Falls.