AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Horsetooth Falls–Horsetooth Reservoir, 9 sights

12.6 mi · ▲ 2,114 ft · 5 hr 15 min

Horsetooth Falls–Horsetooth Reservoir, 9 sights is a 12.6-mile out-and-back in Horsetooth Mountain Open Space near Bellvue, CO. The route passes Horsetooth Reservoir before reaching Horsetooth Falls at the turnaround, 6.3 miles in. It climbs 2,114 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 52/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi5,440 – 6,503 ft · steepest grade: 20%13.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: East Valley Trail 40.58749, -105.18194
Nearest town Bellvue, CO
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Horsetooth Falls–Horsetooth Reservoir, 9 sights

12.6 mi · ▲ 2,114 ft · 5 hr 15 min

Elevation 5,439–6,505 ft

Out & Back · Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Trailhead: East Valley Trail · 40.58749, -105.18194

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:32 AM · sunset 7:30 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on East Valley Trail, heading SE.
  2. 0.3 miPass Horsetooth Reservoir.
  3. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  4. 200 ftContinue straight onto Well Gulch Nature Trail, heading S.
  5. 0.1 miContinue straight onto West Valley Trail, heading W.
  6. 0.2 miTurn left onto Well Gulch Nature Trail, heading SE.
  7. 50 ftTurn right onto West Valley Trail, heading SE.
  8. 1.1 miSharp left onto Aurthurs Rock / West Valley Trail, heading S.
  9. 250 ftTurn right onto South Valley Loop, heading S.
  10. 0.1 miBear right onto Mill Creek Link Trail, heading SE.
  11. 0.4 miTurn left onto Mill Creek Trail, heading NW.
  12. 1 miTurn right onto Loggers Trail, heading S.
  13. 0.7 miSharp right onto Carey Springs Trail, heading SE.
  14. 0.5 miBear left onto Towers Trail, heading S.
  15. 450 ftSharp right onto Spring Creek - Towers Connector, heading SW.
  16. 0.1 miSharp left onto Spring Creek Trail, heading SE.
  17. 0.8 miTurn left onto Soderberg Trail, heading S.
  18. 50 ftTurn left onto Spring Creek Trail, heading S.
  19. 0.4 miSharp right onto Horsetooth Falls Trail, heading SE.
  20. 350 ftReach Horsetooth Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  21. 350 ftSharp left onto Spring Creek Trail, heading S.
  22. 0.4 miTurn right onto Soderberg Trail, heading NW.
  23. 50 ftTurn right onto Spring Creek Trail, heading NW.
  24. 0.8 miSharp right onto Spring Creek - Towers Connector, heading N.
  25. 0.1 miSharp left onto Towers Trail, heading N.
  26. 450 ftBear right onto Carey Springs Trail, heading NW.
  27. 0.5 miSharp left onto Loggers Trail, heading N.
  28. 0.7 miTurn left onto Mill Creek Trail, heading NE.
  29. 1 miTurn right onto Mill Creek Link Trail, heading E.
  30. 0.4 miBear left onto South Valley Loop, heading E.
  31. 0.1 miTurn left onto Aurthurs Rock / West Valley Trail, heading SE.
  32. 250 ftSharp right onto West Valley Trail, heading SE.
  33. 1.1 miTurn left onto Well Gulch Nature Trail, heading NW.
  34. 50 ftTurn right onto West Valley Trail, heading NW.
  35. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Well Gulch Nature Trail, heading NE.
  36. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  37. 400 ftContinue straight onto East Valley Trail, heading NW.
  38. 0.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/horsetooth-falls-horsetooth-reservoir-out-back-9-sights

Trail surface

98% dirt2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:32 AMSunset 7:30 PM

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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