By Hannah Lehr.
Zapata Falls is a 30-foot waterfall nestled in Colorado’s Sangre De Crisco Mountains. This hidden gem is 20 minutes away from the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park, and it makes for an important cease on the way in which to the park. This brief hike will solely take half-hour to an hour out of your day, relying on how lengthy you’re taking to soak within the views. Not solely are the falls lovely, however the hike additionally boasts unimaginable views of the San Juan Valley beneath.
Getting There
The Zapata Falls trailhead is situated East of the city of Mosca and 12 miles South of the Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park. When following Route 150 to the Dunes, you will note the signal in your proper for Zapata Falls Recreation Space. Flip right here and observe the dust street.
You will want to observe this dust street up the mountain for about 3.5 miles to get to the trailhead. There are numerous rocks and potholes to be careful for. I might say any passenger automobile would do exactly advantageous, as long as you’re taking it sluggish. This isn’t a street on your Miata or lowered BMW. You’ll observe this street till you attain the parking zone. There are many pull-offs to admire the Dunes from above as you drive 1,000 ft into the air.
Parking could be fairly restricted. There are about 24 spots, however for a way widespread this hike is, it will probably refill at occasions. Head to the falls on a weekday or early within the morning to beat the crowds. The trailhead is on the prime of the parking zone subsequent to the pit bogs.
The path itself is a reasonably simple, .8 mile out-and-back path. The half that proves to be tough is when you could traverse the frigid river right into a cave to achieve the secluded falls. Even in the event you select to not stroll by means of the river, you’ll be able to nonetheless watch the gorgeous, glacial river circulation.
Finest Occasions to Go to
Zapata Falls could be loved all yr spherical, however it’s particularly nice through the summer time and winter months. In the summertime, it’s nice to chill down within the chilly, glacial falls. The water ranges are excessive and anticipate to wade by means of water to achieve the bottom of the falls.
Hikers additionally expertise an enormous temperature drop as they drive up the mountain, which could be actually refreshing on a scorching summer time day. The draw back to visiting through the summer time is that the path is particularly busy throughout this time. Many individuals come from the sunbaked Dunes seeking to cool off within the falls. Nonetheless, that is one of the best time to go to the place the water is bearable.
On the flip aspect, winter can be a good time to go to. Although driving up the dust street is kind of terrifying within the winter, you’re assured to be one of many few individuals on the hike. This can be a nice time to go to the falls if you don’t want to get moist, because the falls are fully frozen within the winter. It’s an unimaginable expertise to trek throughout the frozen river to this enormous column of ice rising alongside the canyon.
Visiting within the spring will guarantee decrease water ranges, which is able to permit you to attain the bottom of the falls by solely getting your ft moist. From right here, it is possible for you to to climb to the second stage of the falls. That is an unimaginable viewpoint, and the sheer energy of the falls is overwhelming! It nonetheless could also be chilly this time of yr, so gown appropriately.
Visiting within the fall offers you that stunning, golden foliage that’s iconic to Colorado. Relying on how late into the autumn it’s, the water ranges should be excessive and can begin to freeze as winter approaches.
Climate and Applicable Dresswear
Anticipate the temperature to drop 10 levels when you attain the parking zone, and one other 5-10 when you attain the falls. On a scorching summer time day, you may get away with carrying shorts and a T-Shirt on this hike, however don’t anticipate the water within the falls to ever be heat.
It’s greatest to put on crocs or water sneakers, as you can be traversing a creek and wading by means of chest-level water if you wish to attain the precise base of the falls. Though the water could be refreshing after a balmy day, it may also be fairly chilly when you’ve been moist for some time. I recommend bringing a towel and sweatshirt in the event you do resolve to wade to the bottom of the falls.
Within the Spring and Fall, I like to recommend a rain jacket and rain boots to forestall you from getting too moist and chilly. It’s arduous to not get moist on this hike, which might actually suck when it’s so chilly exterior. Within the Winter, you should definitely bundle up and anticipate frigid temperatures! Trekking poles are really helpful as a result of the frozen river could be fairly slippery.
Should-Dos at Zapata Falls
Zapata Falls is a particular place among the many locals and is a bucket-list vacation spot for a lot of vacationers. The hike is especially superior due to how simple and accessible it’s as much as the river. Viewing the falls and admiring the canyon that shelters it’s simply one of many many issues to do at Zapata Falls.
Apart from the falls, there are many beautiful views on this hike! From the parking zone, you should definitely catch the unimaginable viewpoint of the Dunes from above. That is one of the best viewpoint of the Dunes in Colorado, and so they look so small from the highest of the mountains.
Admire the San Juan Valley beneath, and the San Juan Mountains within the distance. That is an particularly beautiful view within the Fall with the golden foliage. There are many cliffside pull-offs to take pictures of the valley with an unobstructed view.
For seasoned hikers, attempt the close by South Zapata Path. This 7-mile path not solely takes you to the falls, but in addition to South Zapata Lake. This emerald, inexperienced lake is well worth the trek in the event you’re in search of a day-long backpacking journey, or an in a single day tenting journey. Ending at Zapata Falls is a improbable method to cool off after the lengthy hike.
My Private Key Highlights
I personally had a blast traversing by means of the river. I visited throughout late September, and the temperature was about 50 levels. It was fairly chilly, however I ignored the truth that I couldn’t really feel my ft in my crocs and saved going. I used to be in a position to make it a number of ft from the bottom of the falls, the place I used to be as much as my knees in water. I used to be awe-struck by the echoes of the falls towards the rock partitions, and the great thing about the crystal clear water flowing by means of the canyon.
I particularly appreciated the adrenaline rush I acquired from this hike. Reaching the falls felt like an journey, and it was certainly rewarding to see them for myself. This actually made the hike distinctive. Additionally, most individuals don’t wade too deep within the water, so I had the falls to myself for a superb twenty minutes!
Lastly, I loved the drive as much as the parking zone. Though scary, I appreciated the unimaginable views of the valley and sand dunes that I didn’t have to work notably arduous for.
Issues Guests Ought to Be Conscious Of
Though the hike as much as the river is well accessible for anyone, strolling backwards and forwards throughout the river can show to be tough. To see the falls, you could traverse by means of the river. Watch out, because the rocks could be very slippery. It’s best to put on water sneakers, as your ft will get moist. Older individuals and young children might not be capable to make it to the falls.
The water is chilly year-round, and the temperature drops drastically as you attain the falls! Be sure to decorate accordingly.
Parking could be restricted, particularly within the Summer season and on Weekends. There are pit bogs situated within the parking zone.
Visiting Zapata Falls is totally free for all guests, and canine are allowed as long as they’re leashed.
Autos with very abnormally low clearance might not be capable to make it up the street to Zapata Falls. Regular passenger automobiles ought to do exactly advantageous however drive slowly.
Whereas Visiting Zapata Falls, Additionally Verify Out…
Clearly, a visit to Zapata Falls isn’t full with no go to to Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park. Take in the solar by mountaineering to Star Dune and go to the falls afterwards to chill off. The park entrance is situated 12 miles from the falls and could be reached by persevering with straight on Route 150.
There are additionally unimaginable tenting alternatives close to Zapata Falls. Primitive spots at Zapata Falls Campground could be booked on-line and go for $11 an evening. At these spots, there are solely a picnic desk and a fireplace ring, so be ready. This can be a excellent place to base your self for exploring the falls in addition to the Sand Dunes.
Close by Services
If tenting isn’t fairly your fashion, there are many lodging choices in close by Alamosa and Mosca.
Dunes Inn is a superb place to remain that’s in downtown Alamosa. This resort is a funds possibility with small-town hospitality and costs. It is just 2 miles from the airport, and is a superb possibility for anyone flying in. For a pricier possibility, attempt Fairfield Inn by Mariott Alamosa. Although actually, the costs to remain in these lodges are low contemplating how rural the world is.
The closest grocery retailer to the falls is the Dunes Oasis Retailer. Right here, they promote gasoline, groceries, and little knickknacks to take house with you. Right here, you can even lease sandboards for using the dunes!
Close by mountaineering alternatives could be discovered close to Blanca Peak, in addition to the North Zapata Ridge. Right here, you’ll find excessive elevation hikes meant for knowledgeable hikers. The falls flip into an mountaineering alternative through the Winter months for these into climbing.
Don’t Overlook to Carry
- A water-resistant digicam! You’re assured to get moist by some means, and it will suck to smash your digicam. You’re going to wish to take photos with out risking a moist digicam.
- Water sneakers through the summer time, rain boots through the fall and spring! You gained’t wish to be strolling round with moist sneakers.
- A trekking pole could be helpful on the slippery rocks
- Applicable layers, as it will probably get very chilly up there!
My Ranking out of /10
I’d fee this hike a ten/10! It’s brief, simple, and properly price it. It presents unimaginable views through the entirety of the path. The hike throughout the river and into the canyon gave me such an adrenaline rush. I used to be so giddy with pleasure to see the falls that I used to be listening to for half of the path! I like to recommend making your manner out right here in your method to the Nice Sand Dunes.
Your ideas on Zapata Falls?
So many outside lovers chase the great thing about pure waterfalls. Have you ever visited Zapata Falls in any respect and if not, would this be in your want listing? Please share your ideas with us beneath.
