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Maxwell Falls Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.1 (80)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Conifer
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“A forested trail with waterfalls, offering a panoramic view of the Conifer area. ”

Danielle Jackson
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Map Key

4.6

Miles

7.4

KM

Lollipop

8,398' 2,560 m

High

7,764' 2,366 m

Low

884' 269 m

Up

883' 269 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

Overview

This route travels through the Conifer forest along the Maxwell Creek. No matter the season, this route offers beautiful scenery. During the spring and summer you have the opportunity to make your way to the Maxwell Falls. During the fall, enjoy the changing Aspen leaves and during the winter marvel at the snow covered pines. This is a moderate trail with the majority of the trail climbing up and down hills, with very little flat areas. Taking the Cliff Loop Trail back, allows expansive views of the Conifer area.

Need to Know

There are no restroom or trash services at the lower trailhead, so plan accordingly.This route can be done in the winter. The trail will be covered in snow and ice and the steep climbs can be a bit tricky. If you can keep your footing it shouldn't be too difficult.

Description

The trailhead is easily visible from the parking lot. From the trailhead, follow the well-worn trail. After about 0.8 miles of well-forested area another trail will branch out. This other trail will not have a sign and the Maxwell Falls Trail will have a sign denoting the direction of the trail. Follow this through the forest until you reach a small foot bridge crossing the Maxwell Creek. This crossing is a little over a mile from the trailhead.

After crossing the bridge the trail will split in two directions. The trail to your right is one end of the Cliff Loop Trail. Take the trail to your left which is the Maxwell Falls Trail. This part of the trail will take you along the creek and you'll pass along the bottom of a large cliff face. Continue another half a mile along the Maxwell Falls Trail, and the trail will branch off again.

From this point you should be able to hear the Maxwell Falls -- follow the sound to see the falls. The falls are seasonal so if you are exploring the area later in the season (late fall or winter) you'll be less likely to hear the falls.

The trail to your left will continue to the upper trailhead. The trail to your right is the other end of the Cliff Loop Trail. This trail brings you over the top of the cliff face that you passed on the Maxwell Falls Trail and then connects back into that trail. This trail also contains the highest point of the journey and provides an expansive view of the area. Follow this trail until it rejoins the Maxwell Falls Trail at the foot bridge.

Follow the Maxwell Falls Trail back to the Lower Trailhead to complete the loop.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

Shared By:

Danielle Jackson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 80 votes

#1

in Conifer

#115

Overall
  4.1 from 80 votes
5 Star
30%
4 Star
53%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
3%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Conifer

#37

in Colorado

#115

Overall
22 Views Last Month
9,107 Since Dec 27, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
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81%
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Photos

Maxwell Falls in early spring.
Aug 13, 2016 near Evergreen, CO
This opening in the trees marks a junction point with another trail early on.
May 25, 2017 near Evergreen, CO
Enjoy beautiful views from the overlook on Cliff Loop Trail late in the afternoon.
May 25, 2017 near Evergreen, CO
Maxwell Falls tumbles past the rocks on it's way downstream.
Jan 13, 2016 near Evergreen, CO

1 Comment

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 4 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jun 20, 2023
Rebekah Bair
Apr 16, 2023
Lewis Perkins
Aug 3, 2022
Peach Jones
Upper Maxwell Falls
May 30, 2022
Alex O'Connell
Started at the south (upper) TH off Black Mtn. Lots of trail splits not marked; ended up doing a loop of Cliff trail rather than Falls. Beautiful day — 2h 00m
May 22, 2022
Miles Hokanson
Full of snow. Started off packed, slush by the end. Falls were small but nice 4.6mi — 2h 04m
May 8, 2022
Brent Holland
Apr 11, 2022
Amber Jeffers
Jan 13, 2022
Lee H
Light snow but easy to navigate. 3.5mi — 1h 45m

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