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Browns Creek Trail #1429

Intermediate
 4.4 (30)
  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

Mar 31, 2021: Salida Mountain Trails Seeks New Executive Director

Mar 16, 2021: Run Through Time Rescheduled!

Mar 4, 2021: 16th Annual Run Through Time Race

Land Manager: City of Salida

Shared By:

Ryan Overton with improvements by John Toepfer
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 30 votes

#1

in Browns Creek

#115

Overall
  4.4 from 30 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Browns Creek

#32

in Colorado

#115

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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

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
Jul 29, 2020
Tom Mosher
Lots of horse dung dodging on this trail.
Jul 11, 2020
Jonathan Nicholas
Jul 6, 2020
Claire Milligan
6mi
Sep 1, 2019
Private User
Aug 10, 2019
Chad Haven
Out to waterfall and back, hammock nap, gorgeous, Jackie's hip sore, pregnant!
Jul 27, 2019
Private User

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