Hike to Zapata Falls 1000 Feet Up!

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 Great Sand Dunes National Park, and it makes for an important cease on the way in which to the park. This quick hike will solely take half-hour to an hour out of your day, relying on how lengthy you are 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 positioned East of the city of Mosca and 12 miles South of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. When following Route 150 to the Dunes, you will note the signal in your proper for Zapata Falls Recreation Area. Turn right here and observe the filth street.

You might want to observe this filth street up the mountain for about 3.5 miles to get to the trailhead. There are lots of rocks and potholes to be careful for. I might say any passenger automobile would just do effective, as long as you are taking it gradual. This will not be a street to your Miata or lowered BMW. You will observe this street till you attain the parking zone. There are loads of pull-offs to admire the Dunes from above as you drive 1,000 ft into the air.

Parking might be fairly restricted. There are about 24 spots, however for a way fashionable this hike is, it could possibly refill at instances. 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 bathrooms.

The path itself is a reasonably simple, .8 mile out-and-back path. The half that proves to be troublesome is when you should traverse the frigid river right into a cave to achieve the secluded falls. Even in case you select to not stroll by the river, you’ll be able to nonetheless watch the attractive, glacial river movement.

Best Times to Visit

Zapata Falls might be loved all yr spherical, however it’s particularly nice through the summer season and winter months. In the summer season, it’s nice to chill down within the chilly, glacial falls. The water ranges are excessive and anticipate to wade by water to achieve the bottom of the falls.

Hikers additionally expertise an enormous temperature drop as they drive up the mountain, which might be actually refreshing on a scorching summer season day. The draw back to visiting through the summer season is that the path is very busy throughout this time. Many individuals come from the sunbaked Dunes trying to cool off within the falls.  Nonetheless, that is the perfect time to go to the place the water is bearable.

On the flip facet, winter can be a good time to go to. Though driving up the filth street is sort of terrifying within the winter, you’re assured to be one of many few individuals on the hike. This is a good time to go to the falls if you don’t want to get moist, because the falls are utterly frozen within the winter. It is 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 can help you 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 degree of the falls. This is an unimaginable viewpoint, and the sheer energy of the falls is overwhelming! It nonetheless could also be chilly this time of yr, so costume appropriately.

Visiting within the fall will provide you with that lovely, golden foliage that’s iconic to Colorado. Depending on how late into the autumn it’s, the water ranges should still be excessive and can begin to freeze as winter approaches.

Weather and Appropriate Dresswear

Expect 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 season day, you may get away with sporting shorts and a T-Shirt on this hike, however don’t anticipate the water within the falls to ever be heat.

It’s finest to put on crocs or water sneakers, as you may be traversing a creek and wading by chest-level water if you wish to attain the precise base of the falls. Although the water might be refreshing after a balmy day, it may also be fairly chilly when you’ve been moist for some time. I counsel bringing a towel and sweatshirt in case you do resolve to wade to the bottom of the falls.

In the Spring and Fall, I like to recommend a rain jacket and rain boots to stop you from getting too moist and chilly. It’s arduous to not get moist on this hike, which may actually suck when it’s so chilly outdoors. In the Winter, make sure you bundle up and anticipate frigid temperatures! Trekking poles are beneficial as a result of the frozen river might be fairly slippery.

Must-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.

Besides the falls, there are many attractive views on this hike! From the parking zone, make sure you catch the unimaginable viewpoint of the Dunes from above. This is the perfect viewpoint of the Dunes in Colorado, they usually look so small from the highest of the mountains.

Admire the San Juan Valley beneath, and the San Juan Mountains within the distance. This is an particularly attractive view within the Fall with the golden foliage. There are loads of cliffside pull-offs to take images of the valley with an unobstructed view.

For seasoned hikers, strive the close by South Zapata Trail. This 7-mile path not solely takes you to the falls, but additionally to South Zapata Lake. This emerald, inexperienced lake is definitely worth the trek in case you’re in search of a day-long backpacking journey, or an in a single day tenting journey. Finishing at Zapata Falls is a incredible approach to cool off after the lengthy hike.

My Personal Key Highlights

I personally had a blast traversing by 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 in opposition to the rock partitions, and the fantastic thing about the crystal clear water flowing by the canyon.

I particularly appreciated the adrenaline rush I obtained 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. Also, most individuals don’t wade too deep within the water, so I had the falls to myself for a great twenty minutes!

Lastly, I loved the drive as much as the parking zone. Although scary, I appreciated the unimaginable views of the valley and sand dunes that I didn’t must work notably arduous for.

Things Visitors Should Be Aware Of

Although the hike as much as the river is definitely accessible for anyone, strolling forwards and backwards throughout the river can show to be troublesome. To see the falls, you should traverse by the river. Be cautious, because the rocks might be very slippery. It is finest to put on water sneakers, as your ft will get moist. Older individuals and young children could not have the ability to make it to the falls.

The water is chilly year-round, and the temperature drops drastically as you attain the falls! Make certain to decorate accordingly.

Parking might be restricted, particularly within the Summer and on Weekends. There are pit bathrooms positioned within the parking zone.

Visiting Zapata Falls is totally free for all guests, and canine are allowed as long as they’re leashed.

Vehicles with very abnormally low clearance could not have the ability to make it up the street to Zapata Falls. Normal passenger automobiles ought to just do effective however drive slowly.

While Visiting Zapata Falls, Also Check Out…

Obviously, a visit to Zapata Falls isn’t full with no go to to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Soak up the solar by climbing to Star Dune and go to the falls afterwards to chill off. The park entrance is positioned 12 miles from the falls and might 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 might be booked on-line and go for $11 an evening. At these spots, there are solely a picnic desk and a hearth ring, so be ready. This is a good place to base your self for exploring the falls in addition to the Sand Dunes.

Nearby Facilities

If tenting isn’t fairly your model, there are many lodging choices in close by Alamosa and Mosca.

Dunes Inn is a good place to remain that’s in downtown Alamosa. This lodge is a price range possibility with small-town hospitality and costs. It is simply 2 miles from the airport, and is a superb possibility for someone flying in. For a pricier possibility, strive Fairfield Inn by Mariott Alamosa. Though actually, the costs to remain in these resorts are low contemplating how rural the world is.

The closest grocery retailer to the falls is the Dunes Oasis Store. Here, they promote gasoline, groceries, and little knickknacks to take house with you. Here, you can too hire sandboards for driving the dunes!

Nearby climbing alternatives might be discovered close to Blanca Peak, in addition to the North Zapata Ridge. Here, you will see excessive elevation hikes meant for skilled hikers. The falls flip into an mountaineering alternative through the Winter months for these into climbing.

Don’t Forget to Bring

• A water-resistant digicam! You’re assured to get moist in some way, and it might suck to smash your digicam. You’re going to wish to take photos with out risking a moist digicam.
• Water sneakers through the summer season, rain boots through the fall and spring! You gained’t wish to be strolling round with moist sneakers.
• A trekking pole might be helpful on the slippery rocks
• Appropriate layers, as it could possibly get very chilly up there!

My Rating out of /10

I’d charge this hike a ten/10! It is brief, simple, and nicely value it. It affords 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 approach out right here in your approach to the Great Sand Dunes.

Your ideas on Zapata Falls?

So many out of doors lovers chase the fantastic thing about pure waterfalls. Have you visited Zapata Falls in any respect and if not, would this be in your want record? Please share your ideas with us beneath.