Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
16.2 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
2,350 ft
About Bedrock Falls
Bedrock Falls is on upper Pine Creek in the Collegiate Peaks of San Isabel National Forest, in the basin between Mount Harvard and Mount Belford northwest of Buena Vista. It is reached by the Forest Service's Pine Creek Trail (#1467), and Forest Service trail data place the falls about 8 miles from the trailhead, so plan a long day hike or an overnight trip.
The Setting
Bedrock Falls sits at 11,253 feet within San Isabel National Forest, in the high alpine of Colorado.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard hike follows Missouri Gulch (#1469), a 16.2-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 2,350 feet of elevation gain. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
MISSOURI GULCH #1469
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
USFS Segment
0.59 miTrail Description
The Pine Creek Trail (#1467) starts at the Pine Creek Trailhead on County Road 388 just west of US 24 and follows Pine Creek west toward the basin below Mount Harvard and Mount Belford. Forest Service GIS mileage puts Bedrock Falls about 8.1 miles up the trail at roughly 11,250 feet, about 2,350 feet above the trailhead, for a round trip of about 16 miles. The Forest Service lists the trail as Class 3 native tread with typical grades of 12 to 20 percent.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bedrock Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on the Pine Creek Trail in San Isabel National Forest and should be kept under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Bedrock Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are typically the best times to visit, as snowmelt may enhance the flow of the waterfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with San Isabel National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
The area may have uneven terrain, limited cell service, and potential wildlife encounters. Visitors should be prepared for backcountry conditions and carry safety essentials.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge ARKANSAS RIVER BELOW GRANITE, CO (11 km away).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid May to early July, peaking in June.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Buena Vista hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Bedrock Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Bedrock Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 41°F to 25°F.
- Days below freezing
- 2 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Colorado.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 81 feet through Bedrock Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 11,253 feet.
The ground changes about 115 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 22 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 11,253 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 81 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Buena Vista, drive north on US 24 and turn west onto County Road 388 to the Pine Creek Trailhead, where the Pine Creek Trail (#1467) begins.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Pine Creek Trailhead on County Road 388 near US 24.
Elevation
11,253 feet above sea level
Coordinates
38.944439° N, -106.340024° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring a detailed map or GPS device, as the area may lack clear signage. Wear sturdy hiking boots and pack plenty of water and snacks. Check weather conditions before your visit.
This trail sits at 11,253 ft — roughly 30% less oxygen than sea level
Extreme AltitudeAt this elevation, altitude sickness is a real concern. Monitor how you feel, take frequent rest breaks, and descend if symptoms worsen. Visitors arriving from lower elevations should allow time to acclimatize.
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Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)
Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.
Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex
Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.
Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Monitor blood oxygen in real time — SpO2 commonly drops to 85–90% above 10,000 ft.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
This challenging 16.2 miles trail gains 2,350 ft in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
Where to Stay
Whitewater Peak - Cozy Retreat with Scenic Views
Paradise Home 20 Mins to Disney with Pool and Waterpark on Property
The Gant
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Nearby Attractions
Mount Harvard, Mount Belford and Mount Oxford rise above the upper Pine Creek basin, and Elkhead Pass links the basin to Missouri Gulch.
Wildlife
The area may be home to various wildlife, including deer, birds, and potentially bears. Visitors should practice proper wildlife safety.
Cities near Bedrock Falls
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