From McGraw Ranch, take the doubletrack into a pasture dotted with old-growth ponderosas. Snow-capped mountains line the right side of the valley while the sandstone crags of Lumpy Ridge form a 9,000-foot boundary to the left. After 2.5 miles, the trail climbs through a thick forest of pines and aspens, as it begins to crisscross the creek. In the next half-mile the cascades sliding between large boulders will whet your appetite for the trail’s destination. At mile 3, Bridal Veil Falls shoots sun-kissed whitewater off a wide cliff face. While the boulders beneath the falls offer plenty of comfortable seating for spectators, for an unforgettable view of the pine-blanketed valley and the surrounding peaks, continue up the spur trail to the left of the falls and rest on top of a broad plateau. The water that feeds the falls will be flowing softly to your left. Soak it all in before backtracking to the trailhead.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland & MacKenzie Ryan
TO TRAILHEAD: From Estes Park: Head northeast on US-36/CO-66/Moraine Avenue. Make a slight left at US-36/CO-66/East Elkhorn Avenue. Turn left at Steamer Drive. Turn right at Black Canyon Drive. Turn right at Devils Gulch Road. Turn left at Clara Drive. Bear right to stay on Clara. Turn left at Gem Lake Trail. At 2.7 miles, turn left at McGraw Ranch Road. Continue 1.1 miles then bear left to stay on McGraw. The trailhead is on the left side of the road. There is limited parking.
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Bridal Veil Falls
| Dist: 3.10 mi |
Points: 470 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
BVF001
Location: 40.431742°, -105.501250°
At the Cow Creek Trailhead, cross the bridge over a small pond and walk through McGraw Ranch. The Continental Divide Research Learning Center is here at 7,840 feet. Follow the trail to the right of the kiosk, bearing left at the McGraw Ranch barn and Cow Creek Trailhead.
BVF002
Location: 40.431468°, -105.503181°
Pass through an open meadow with views of the surroundings mountains. Go straight past the toilets and bear right on the doubletrack.
BVF003
Location: 40.429222°, -105.512646°
Climb up a short set of stairs and continue uphill for a few paces. Pass through a small aspen grove.
BVF004
Location: 40.427684°, -105.520923°
Go straight @ the T-junction. The sign indicates it is 2 miles to Bridal Veil Falls.
BVF005
Location: 40.427165°, -105.524018°
Pass Rabbit Furs Campground.
BVF006
Location: 40.426927°, -105.532207°
Follow the trail as it heads away from the river over a gentle uphill. Cow Creek Trail slices through another open meadow, passing impressive rock formations to the right.
BVF007
Location: 40.427171°, -105.534937°
Bear right @ the Y-junction and continue on Cow Creek Trail.
BVF008
Location: 40.430175°, -105.541235°
The trail begins to climb through a forest of ponderosa pines.
BVF009
Location: 40.431580°, -105.544369°
Cross the split log bridge.
BVF010
Location: 40.432041°, -105.545370°
Cross a second footbridge and hike through a thick aspen grove. The stream will be on the right side of the trail.
BVF011
Location: 40.433691°, -105.547207°
Pass a small waterfall on the right of the trail.
BVF012
Location: 40.434303°, -105.547945°
Cross over a third footbridge.
BVF013
Location: 40.435083°, -105.549187°
Reach Bridal Veil Falls, a thin whitewater ribbon pummeling 20 feet off a wide granite cliff. Sit and rest on a nearby boulder then walk across the creek, keeping the falls to the right. Take the spur trail to the left of Bridal Veil to access the upper falls.
BVF014
Location: 40.435852°, -105.551223°
Stop at the upper falls. This is a great place to sunbathe, look at the mountains, or peer into the valley below. Exercise caution on the exposed plateau. When finished, backtrack to the trailhead.
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