Cow Creek Trail - Bridal Veil Falls, CO

Cow Creek trail begins at McGraw Ranch - formerly a dude ranch, now one of the sites of the Continental Divide Research Learning Center. Go through the ranch following "Trail" signs. Shortly after you'll find a trailside toilet built using entrance fees paid in the main RMNP area. Follow "Bridal Veil Falls" signs. At 0.6 mi from the trailhead, the old road will become an actual single-track trail and will continue following the wide ravine along Cow Creek.


At 1.15 mi you'll find a junction with a trail going to Gem Lake and Lumpy Ridge trailhead - continue straight ahead. At 1.95 mi from the trailhead veer right at the junction following the sign. Soon you'll enter the denser forest and get closer to the creek.Shortly before the destination, there's a horse parking allowing only foot traffic further, after this point trail will become significantly steeper but not for long as you'll reach the lower tier of Bridal Veil Falls. To get to the upper cascade tier cross the stream and follow the well-seen trail up and be sure to use grippy enough footwear to go on the steep slickrock.

2011-08-09 AndreyP