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Upper Browns Creek Trail #1429

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.5 (40)
  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 small lake. ”

Ryan Overton
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4.7

Miles

7.6

KM

Point to Point

11,307' 3,446 m

High

9,644' 2,940 m

Low

1,670' 509 m

Up

7' 2 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

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

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 stretch of trail mapped here is from Browns Creek Falls to Browns Lake, so this is the bonus hike that you can do if you see the waterfall and want to keep going. The full hike from the trailhead to Brown's Lake gains approximately 2400 ft in elevation & features some loose, rocky sections as well as some sand.

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.

Contacts

Local Club: Salida Mountain Trails

Jul 1, 2025: July 2025 Newsletter

Mar 6, 2025: Newsletter: March 2025

Feb 28, 2025: Salida Youth Cycling Interest Form

Land Manager: USFS-Pike and San Isabel National Forest - Collegiate Peaks Wilderness

Shared By:

Ryan Overton with improvements by John Toepfer
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 40 votes

#1

in Browns Creek

#68

Overall
  4.5 from 40 votes
5 Star
55%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Browns Creek

#20

in Colorado

#68

Overall
19 Views Last Month
10,799 Since Oct 22, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
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88%
8%
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Photos

The wildflowers are in full bloom and incredible all along the trail.
Jul 6, 2019 near Alpine , CO
Lake at destination
Jul 21, 2018 near Alpine , CO
Browns Lake
Aug 3, 2020 near Alpine , CO
The blown out beaver dam resulting in the lake draining. Photo taken July 18, 2019.
Dec 20, 2019 near Alpine , CO

3 Comments

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Check-Ins

Jun 11, 2023
Dmitry S
Sep 18, 2022
Mark L
Done in 9/17 after Jenna's wedding
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

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