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Browns Creek Trail #1429

Intermediate
 4.5 (35)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. …Buena Vista
  5. Browns Creek
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“Hike along Browns Creek, past a waterfall, and to a lake. ”

Ryan Overton
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Map Key

6.4

Miles

10.3

KM

Point to Point

11,309' 3,447 m

High

8,922' 2,719 m

Low

2,388' 728 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

No camping allowed at trailhead. No motorized vehicles. Fire restrictions are very common in this area.

Description

Brown's Lake Trail is a moderately trafficked out-and-back trail located near Nathrop, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Overall, it is a pleasant hike to a beautiful waterfall.

This is a very fun trail to a spectacular waterfall. The hike has plenty of variety that will keep your interest including meadows, pine, and aspen forest. You'll be treated to many views of Mt Antero, and even get to test your balance by crossing Browns Creek via small log bridges.

The usage of the trail is moderate. You should expect to see 5-10 people on your hike.

The trail gains approximately 2400 ft in elevation.

Parts of the trail are sandy or have loose rock, so be prepared to get dusty, and you'll likely waste some energy on the soft ground.

In 2019 a microburst flooded the valley and the beaver dam burst. Brown's Lake is now just Brown's Creek. What had been a shallow, but beautiful lake is gone. We will see if the beavers choose to rebuild.

Flora & Fauna

You'll encounter meadows, pine, and aspen forest. You'll be treated to many views of Mt. Antero, and even get to test your balance by crossing Browns Creek via small log bridges.

Contacts

Local Club: Salida Mountain Trails

Jul 21, 2022: PRESS RELEASE: New trail adds key link to Salida’s singletrack

Jun 28, 2022: Join SMT’s Board of Directors

Jun 17, 2022: Join our board

Land Manager: City of Salida

Shared By:

Ryan Overton with improvements by John Toepfer
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 35 votes

#1

in Browns Creek

#94

Overall
  4.5 from 35 votes
5 Star
51%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Browns Creek

#25

in Colorado

#94

Overall
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Photos

At about 6 miles roundtrip, Browns Creek Falls is a great destination if you don't want to go all the way to the lake.
Jun 22, 2017 near Alpine , CO
The wildflowers are in full bloom and incredible all along the trail.
Jul 6, 2019 near Alpine , CO
An informative sign marks the route to Browns Lake and the waterfall.
Jun 2, 2017 near Alpine , CO
Spring runoff makes Browns Creek Falls even more spectacular!
Jun 22, 2017 near Alpine , CO
Brown' Creek Falls
Aug 3, 2020 near Alpine , CO
Browns Lake
Aug 3, 2020 near Alpine , CO

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Check-Ins

Jul 1, 2022
Kris Soller
Jun 20, 2022
Kyle Maloney
Amazing and interesting hike all the way. Amazing views and lots of variety. 6.2mi — 3h 00m
Jun 17, 2022
Michael Holland
out and back to waterfalls. our group has two beginner hikers. had a great time and everyone enjoyed the hike. trail was combo of sandy, rocky,… 6.6mi — 2h 47m
Jun 6, 2022
Clay Dudley
Aug 15, 2021
Lisa Munsch
good hike
Aug 1, 2021
Spencer V
12.9mi
Oct 3, 2020
Michael Schieferecke
6.4mi — 2h 45m
Sep 13, 2020
Meagan Fraser
Hiked past the falls to the lake and camped there before heading back down. Beautiful spot! 13mi

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