Willow Falls - 8.7 Miles Round-Trip

Willow Falls is located along South Willow Creek, just west of Silverthorne, CO in the Eagles Nest Wilderness. South Willow Creek forms on the slopes connecting Eccles Pass and Red Buffalo Pass, flowing east through a narrow gap between Buffalo Mountain's steep north flank, and Red Peak's long east ridge.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

This tiered cascade is tucked in a thick pine forest just off the Gore Range Trail; the upper fills a shallow pool, and the lower drops through a granite chute and expands in a meadow below Buffalo Mountain.

The following route connects the Mesa Cortina and Gore Range trails, a versatile 3-4 season route. Mild grades and good trail conditions are suitable for families, backpackers, runners and winter recreation:

The Mesa Cortina Trail heads north through aspen - sage flats framed by Buffalo Mountain (12,777') and Red Peak (13,189') to the west, and Ptarmigan Peak (12,498') and the Williams Fork Mountains (east).It steepens past the Eagles Nest Wilderness Boundary (.77 miles : 9,235') in a busy forest floor of yellow arnica, fireweed and deadfall.

The trail dips across a tributary and veers left past a marked spur with no public access (2.25 miles : 9,433'). Here the Mesa Cortina Trail is joined by another unmarked trail that begins in downtown Silverthorne.

It continues on mild grades to South Willow Creek, just over which is the Gore Range Trail junction (2.75 miles : 9,425'). Bear left (west) on the GRT.

The GRT winds up the north bank of South Willow Creek through expanding glades and a string of larger marshes and ponds hidden between the trail and creek. Look for moose in this area.

The path grows rugged and narrows into the slot between Buffalo Mountain and Red Peak's east ridge, climbing steadily to the Buffalo Cabin Connector Trail split (3.85 miles : 9,640').

It continues west on a steeper grade to the Willow Falls Trail split (4.3 miles : 10,035'), which branches left on an unmaintained but clear path to rock slabs bisecting the falls (4.35 miles : 10,020).

The midsection of Willow Falls are easy to cross, and social trails run up and down either side. Those with time should consider continuing on to Red Buffalo Pass, an additional 3.25 miles from the falls.