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Cascade Falls and Big Pool

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (18)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Grand Lake
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“A scenic out-and-back featuring waterfalls and a natural pool. ”

Brian Smith
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7.5

Miles

12.0

KM

Out and Back

8,897' 2,712 m

High

8,485' 2,586 m

Low

559' 170 m

Up

559' 170 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs No Dogs

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

Overview

The photogenic Cascade Falls are 3.4 miles into the North Inlet Trail. This easy out-and-back passes through an open meadow where marmots are often found and by a river that winds through a lodgepole pine forest. Fishing is good for small brook trout and an occasional brown trout.

Description

Starting at the North Inlet Trail, head east on the North Inlet Trail as it follows a wide valley and enjoy the views of the marshlands. Soon after starting out, the trail enters a narrower, more rugged landscape. The lower reaches of this trail are very well traveled and meander along a fairly low grade along the creekside.

After just over three miles, you'll arrive at the beautiful Cascade Falls. These falls are about 100 feet long as the North Inlet Creek descends over jagged granite. After viewing the falls, continue eastward on the North Inlet Trail toward Big Pool Campground.

The campground was named after this natural feature that occurs along North Inlet just past a small waterfall. The pool is bound on one side by steep, 10-15 foot cliffs and more gradual sloping granite on the other.

This is the turn around point for this route. Enjoy the varying terrain as you descend back towards Grand Lake on North Inlet Trail and keep your eyes peeled for marmots, moose and other critters.

Flora & Fauna

RMNP is a massive park that is mostly characterized by a montane ecosystem. Here are some of the flora and fauna that you may encounter along this trail:

Flora: Ponderosa pine, douglas fir, wildflowers, shrubs
Fauna: Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, black bears, cougars, butterflies.

For more detailed information regarding the park's diverse ecosystems, click HERE.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Brian Smith with improvements by Kim Vincent
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 18 votes

#2

in Grand Lake

#926

Overall
  4.4 from 18 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Grand Lake

#192

in Colorado

#926

Overall
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7,233 Since Jan 15, 2015
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Photos

Rocky Mountain National Park: Yellow-Bellied Marmot
Jan 15, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO
Deer! On the North Inlet Trail.
Feb 10, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO
Cascade Falls
Jan 15, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO
High water mark with permission from Hobbes7714 Photo Credit: Andrew Wahr Link: https://twitter.com/WahrAndrew
Jan 19, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 80 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 15, 2023
Tim Roe
7.2mi
May 30, 2023
Meaghan O.
8mi — 5h 00m
Jul 11, 2021
Jonah Petoskey
Saw a moose and calf. 8.5mi — 3h 58m
Dec 25, 2020
Kevin F
Oct 9, 2020
Christie Fisher
Sep 23, 2020
Carol Twedt
Jul 29, 2020
Mike Murdock
Jul 22, 2020
Kari Kitchen
78mi

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